Bologna bets on safe second-hand: Immobile signs for two million, now the assault on Bernardeschi

Ciro Immobile is a visualizer. The play, the shot, the goal. He once said: "I imagine the goal before scoring it". If dreams are wishes, the arrival of Ciro the great under the Two Towers is the confirmation that in football everything is possible. It was born as an idea, an intuition. Yesterday the striker ended his adventure in Turkey (Besiktas will pay almost 3 million of the 6 million salary) and has definitively said yes to Vincenzo Italiano's Bologna. Solid realities. One year contract with the option for a second. A salary of 2 million euros. Immobile is expected in these hours (maybe today, but more likely tomorrow for the medicals). A signing that is making the city dream. Four-time top scorer in Serie A, European champion with Mancini's Italy, Immobile will have an impact on Italiano's squad. And not a little. In terms of quality and practicality. A player who no longer has (perhaps) the verve of his twenties, when the engine produced plays and goals. At 35, Immobile has learned to be more concrete and solid. And to visualize the goal when necessary.

The final approval for the transfer came yesterday afternoon. Ciro had returned to Turkey to complete a series of formalities. Alessandro Moggi, his agent, found a way to cut the cord that tied the striker to the Turkish club. Immobile left the club for zero euros, these are also coups. A severance package of 3 million (approximately 2.5) to be paid in five installments as reported by Turkish websites, practically almost half of the player's salary. At that point there were no more doubts. Immobile had already reached an agreement with Bologna for days. If a few days earlier there had been doubts about the possibility of closing the deal (Immobile wanted a two-year contract, Bologna was aiming for one), over time it became clear that the operation would be closed positively. Immobile thus completes the attack with Dallinga and Castro (who have already returned to work). Will he be the starter? Or a luxury reinforcement? Italiano's game is expensive and ferocious, it requires excellent physical shape and intensity. Immobile will do his part, that's for sure. Also because the desire, not so hidden, is to return to take the blue. This is Ciro's great objective: to convince the new coach Gennaro Gattuso that there is room for him in blue.

This is how the first part of the rossoblù market is taking shape, which however is certainly not over yet. Sartori is at work. And so is Marco Di Vaio. The latter last Monday received the Colpi da Maestro award (created by Master Group Sport) as best sporting director for having won the Coppa Italia. Not just an award, but a love story in continuous progress: "Lifting a trophy with Bologna after such a long time was beautiful. And doing it as a director even more". He is there, with Sartori, also behind the Bernardeschi affair. The rossoblù directors are working to set up a strong group, with a little more experience. The winger has been released from Toronto. The agent is in discussions with several clubs, but Bologna is in pole position. He too is expected to have a two-year contract and a salary of no more than 2 million. Ndoye must leave first. Bologna has every intention of closing this suggestion and taking another big shot to best face the three competitions: league, Europa League and Coppa Italia, which has become a crest on the new shirts. Then Bologna will also have to think about a central defender, after Beukema has packed his bags.