Torino finds themselves at a crossroads with the future of Alessandro Buongiorno hanging in the balance. While the club resisted offers for the defender in the January transfer window, the upcoming summer window presents a formidable challenge to retain him, according to reports from Tuttomercatoweb.
Milan, eager to bolster their defensive ranks, made persistent attempts to secure Buongiorno’s services in January. However, their proposed swap deals failed to sway Torino, who stood firm in their refusal to part ways with the talented center-back.
Among the offers tabled by Milan were €20 million plus the inclusion of players like Lorenzo Colombo and/or Tommaso Pobega, with an additional interest in midfielder Samuele Ricci. Despite the tempting proposals, Torino President Urbano Cairo remained resolute, confident that Buongiorno’s value would only appreciate in the coming months.
As negotiations progress, Torino have set a hefty price tag of €40 million for Buongiorno, with no inclination towards accepting any makeweights in the deal. This valuation is expected to rise further should the defender impress during Euro 2024. Buongiorno shares the same agent as Sandro Tonali, and there is a belief within his camp that stirring up a bidding war could be beneficial for his future prospects.
Despite considerable external interest, Torino received a significant boost when Buongiorno himself rejected a move to Atalanta, declining their offer of €17 million plus Duvan Zapata. The center-back’s preference is to make a direct transition to a top-tier club, further complicating Torino’s decision-making process.
Addressing the media, Torino’s Director Davide Vagnati emphasized the club’s desire to retain Buongiorno, citing their strong attachment to the player. However, he acknowledged that the decision would also hinge on Torino’s ability to elevate their own standards on the field.