By It has been a quiet transfer window so far for Bologna, as expected after new technical director Giovanni Sartori went on record saying that the club have to sell before buying.
And as anticipated, Aaron Hickey has become the first player from the first-team to leave the club after impressing the last two seasons after his move from Hearts. The Scottish full back has signed for Brentford for a rumored fee of 16,5 million euros plus bonuses.
As Hickey was announced leaving for the Premier League, little time passed before Bologna announced the signing of his compatriot Lewis Ferguson from Aberdeen for a fee in the region of 3,5 million euros.
The 22 year old has impressed the last few years in the Scottish top flight. Last year he played 36 games, scoring eleven goals and providing one assist. Looking at his stats from the last few years, he clearly is a player who likes to get forward, and hopefully he’ll settle in quickly in Italy.
Since Hickey has left, the club is on the look-out for a new first-choice left back. Charalampos Lykogiannis has already signed on a free transfer, but the Greek is not expected to be the first-choice, but rather a deputy to a new player. Both Andrea Cambiasso and Giuseppe Pezzella have been mentioned as possible options, but the club do not seem to be closing in on anyone as of yet.
Bologna also seem to be close to a second first-team player out, as several clubs have shown interest in Mattias Svanberg.
Both Southampton and Wolfsburg are known to be interested, as well as Napoli who recently have made a formal bid, according to Football Italia. With the player’s contract expiring next summer, he is expected to leave sooner rather than later. Having already signed Ferguson, the departure of Svanberg now seems imminent.
There is also still talk of Bologna looking to strengthen in attack, with Josip Ilicic’s name being heavily mentioned. Sartori knows the player well from his time at Atalanta, but nothing seems to be close as of yet.
In other news Bologna have also signed the promising defender Matteo Angeli from Imolese, as well as extending the contract of Francesco Bardi. Andri Baldursson has left the club on loan for Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, with the deal including a purchase option as well as a counter option for Bologna.
The club are at the moment in Pinzolo as preparations are underway for the new season. The camp have started in a good way with an empathic 8-0 win versus Settaurense. After a quiet first period of the transfer window, the ball now seems to be rolling. Exciting times ahead!
PHOTO: Bologna FC
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