Bologna are excepted to sanction the sale of one of their standout performers from last season, Dan Ndoye, which may force them back into the market to find a replacement. Brighton’s Jeremy Sarmiento has emerged as a key target after expressing a desire to leave.
Is Dan Ndoye Leaving Bologna?
Bologna are holding firm on their $50 million valuation of Dan Ndoye, amid a bidding war between Nottingham Forest and Napoli.
The former have already had an opening bid rejected for the Swiss international, believed to be in the region of $36 million. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League club are expected to return with an improved bid in the very near future.
They will, however, face stiff competition from Ndoye’s long-term admirers Napoli, who have so far tabled the highest offer, albeit with a structure that has left Bologna unimpressed.
The champions proposed an initial loan deal for Ndoye, with an obligation to buy at $46 million — much closer to Bologna’s valuation, but the Rossoblu are demanding the fee be paid upfront.
Although Bologna are complicating things for Ndoye’s potential suitors, such is the interest in his services that a transfer away from Emilia-Romagna is more a matter of when, rather than if.
Jeremy Sarmiento Asks to Leave Brighton, Putting Bologna On Alert
Bologna have already sought to add firepower their attack, first bringing Serie A veteran Ciro Immobile back to Italy, before adding Federico Bernadeschi earlier this month.
That all-Italian double swoop brings with it experience in abundance; something manager Vincenzo Italiano will hope to utilize, as the Coppa Italia champions aim to break into the Champions League spots this season. As per offshore sportsbooks, they are still expected to be some way off Roma and Lazio on the fringes of the top four.
Losing their Coppa Italia final hero Ndoye, who departs having racked up 12 goal contributions last season, would leave a gaping hole in Bologna’s attack, even with their new signings.
Although Bologna’s project is very much focused on immediate success, there is an acknowledgment within the club that letting Ndoye leave must come with a future-proof replacement.
They have sounded out Saint-Etienne winger Zuriko Davitashvili as a potential target in recent weeks, but they are also keeping their ear to ground in regards to Jeremy Sarmiento.
The Brighton winger spent last season on loan at newly-promoted Burnley, playing a crucial role in their climb back to their Premier League.
According to reports in Brazil, the 23-year-old had been close to reaching an agreement with Cruzeiro, although the Ecuadorian backed out at the final hour after communicating a desire to remain in Europe at this stage of his career.
The Athletic have confirmed he is seeking a permanent move away from Brighton this summer, and FootItalia understands Bologna could use a chunk of Ndoye’s potential fee to fund a move for Sarmiento.
He is contracted at the Seagulls until the summer of 2027, so it is likely they will demand a fee in the region of $15m to $20m.
