Bologna FC is signaling ambitious intent in the transfer market with significant activity shaping the squad. The headline arrival is veteran Italian striker Ciro Immobile, who was formally presented and discussed his motivations for returning to Serie A after a stint in Turkey.
Immobile articulated his decision, stating a clear need for the specific pressures and stimuli inherent in the Italian league. He expressed that the daily preparation, the anticipation before matches, and the tangible connection with the city and fans were dynamics he felt were lacking in his recent experience. His return is also intrinsically linked to his future aspirations, specifically targeting participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To achieve this national team objective, Immobile emphasized the necessity of a highly productive and positive season at Bologna, viewing strong club performance as a direct pathway back to the international stage.
Club CEO Claudio Fenucci also addressed the media during Immobile`s presentation, providing crucial updates on other key transfer operations. Fenucci confirmed the impending departure of defender Sam Beukema to Napoli. He clarified that this move was initiated by the player himself, who “very politely” made multiple requests for the transfer. The club ultimately agreed to the transaction, which is now reportedly nearing its finalization stages.
Importantly, Fenucci leveraged the moment to communicate the club`s broader transfer strategy. Despite Beukema`s sale, he asserted that there is currently no financial or strategic imperative to offload other significant players. This statement serves as a clear signal regarding the futures of other valued assets within the squad, such as defenders like Lucumi and forward Ndoye, indicating the club intends to retain them unless exceptional circumstances arise.
Adding further excitement for Bologna supporters, Fenucci effectively confirmed the imminent arrival of another high-profile Italian player, Federico Bernardeschi. The CEO indicated that the deal is substantially complete, with only minor “details” remaining to be ironed out before an official announcement. He expressed confidence that the former Juventus winger`s transfer is very close to being concluded and that he could arrive shortly. These concurrent moves highlight a period of significant restructuring and reinforcement for Bologna ahead of the new season.