In a move that has certainly turned heads in the lower echelons of Italian football, Valerio Antonini, the President of Trapani, has openly declared his club`s ambitious pursuit of seasoned striker Alfredo Donnarumma, currently under contract with Ternana. The announcement came not through official press channels, but directly from Antonini via social media, adding a modern, albeit slightly informal, touch to the transfer saga.
“We are trying to finalize the deal for Donnarumma from Ternana,” Antonini stated publicly. He didn`t shy away from acknowledging the difficulty of the task, adding, “An operation bordering on the impossible, but I am working personally to close it. Non-stop day. Forza Trapani.”
The declaration highlights Trapani`s seemingly audacious intent. While the exact division Trapani currently competes in isn`t specified in the source text, the president`s description of the transfer as “almost impossible” strongly implies a significant leap in player profile compared to the club`s current level. Signing a player of Donnarumma`s calibre, who has experience at higher levels, would indeed be a remarkable coup.
This ambitious bid from Trapani arrives at a time of significant flux at Ternana. The club`s owner, Stefano D`Alessandro, is reportedly looking to sell, and part of the preparation for a potential takeover involves reducing the wage bill by offloading players. Ternana`s Sporting Director, Carlo Mammarella, recently confirmed these efforts publicly.
Speaking about the ongoing player exits, Mammarella explained, “We have freed the future Ternana from significant salaries like those of Vallocchia, Millico, and Casasola, and there are other operations underway, such as those for Capuano and Donnarumma.” He added that he had spoken directly with the players, not just their agents, acknowledging that while their importance to the team is clear, “there are contracts and offers that can be unrepeatable in these lads` lives. I can convince them up to a certain point, then their will also matters.”
The situation at Ternana thus provides a window of opportunity, as they are actively seeking destinations for players like Donnarumma. However, Antonini`s candid admission that the move is “almost impossible” suggests that challenges remain, likely related to the player`s contractual terms, his willingness to potentially drop down divisions, or competition from other clubs. Despite the long odds, Trapani`s president is clearly determined to personally push for what would be a high-profile signing for his club.
Whether Antonini`s personal efforts can indeed turn the “almost impossible” into reality remains to be seen. For now, the public declaration has certainly put this unexpected potential transfer firmly on the radar of football observers.