Veteran striker leaves Besiktas after one season, returning to Italy at 35 with the goal of convincing Gennaro Gattuso to recall him to the national team.
Ciro Immobile is known for his visualization. The play, the shot, the goal. He once stated, “I imagine the goal before I score it.” If dreams come true, Ciro `the great` arriving under the Two Towers (referencing Bologna`s famous towers) confirms that anything is possible in football. What began as an idea or intuition has now materialized. Yesterday, the striker concluded his spell in Turkey (Besiktas will cover almost €3 million of his €6 million salary) and gave his final `yes` to Vincenzo Italiano`s Bologna. This move brings a solid presence to the club. The deal is a one-year contract with an option for a second, and a salary of €2 million. Immobile is expected to arrive shortly (possibly today, but more likely tomorrow for medicals). This signing has generated excitement in the city. A four-time Serie A top scorer and European champion with Italy under Mancini, Immobile will significantly impact Italiano`s squad with his quality and practical approach. While perhaps not possessing the youthful verve of his twenties, when he was a tireless `scooter` producing goals and key moments, at 35, Immobile has become more concrete and reliable, still visualizing goals when needed.
VIDEO: Bologna`s new shirt featuring the Coppa Italia badge
The Transfer
The final approval for the transfer came yesterday afternoon. Ciro had traveled back to Turkey to complete some necessary formalities. His agent, Alessandro Moggi, successfully negotiated his client`s release from the Turkish club. Immobile departs Besiktas as a free agent, a notable achievement in itself. According to reports from Turkish media, Besiktas will pay a severance package of approximately €2.5-3 million, spread over five installments, covering nearly half of the player`s salary. With this resolved, there were no further obstacles. Immobile had already reached an agreement with Bologna days prior. While there were initial doubts about finalizing the transfer due to contract length differences (Immobile wanted two years, Bologna preferred one), it became clear over time that the move would happen. Immobile now joins Bologna`s attack alongside Dallinga and Castro, who have already commenced pre-season training. The question remains whether he will be the primary starter or a high-profile addition to the squad. Vincenzo Italiano`s tactical approach is known for being demanding and high-intensity, requiring peak physical condition. Immobile is certainly expected to contribute significantly. Furthermore, his not-so-secret ambition is to earn a recall to the Italian national team. This is Ciro`s major personal goal: to convince new head coach Gennaro Gattuso that he still has a place in the Azzurri setup.
Di Vaio`s Award and Market Strategy
This outlines the initial phase of Bologna`s transfer window, which is far from complete. Sporting Director Marco Di Vaio and Technical Director Giovanni Sartori are actively working. Di Vaio was recently honored, receiving the `Colpi da Maestro` award last Monday for his role as best sporting director following Bologna`s Coppa Italia victory. He expressed his joy, stating, “Lifting a trophy with Bologna after so long was beautiful. And doing it as a director even more so.” Both Di Vaio and Sartori are reportedly involved in pursuing Federico Bernardeschi. The club directors are focused on building a strong squad with added experience. Bernardeschi, a winger, has been released by Toronto FC, and his agent is in talks with several clubs, but Bologna is considered the frontrunner. Like Immobile, Bernardeschi is expected to potentially sign a two-year contract with a salary not exceeding €2 million. However, a move for Bernardeschi likely depends on the departure of Dan Ndoye. Bologna is keen to finalize this potential signing to add another significant player as they prepare for three competitions: Serie A, Europa League, and the Coppa Italia (which is now featured on their new kits). Following potential departures, Bologna will also need to address the central defense position, particularly if Beukema moves on.
