The European soccer transfer merry-go-round is gaining momentum, and the Italian province of Emilia Romagna is once again one of Italy’s hotbeds when it comes to unearthing huge talents for bargain prices.
As usual, Premier League clubs are ready to swoop in.
Despite being heavily linked with a move to Sunderland, Armand Laurienté could still make the 40-mile move from Sassuolo to Bologna.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Armand Lauriente’ of Sassuolo competes for the ball with Yuri … More
But that might require a minor calcio miracle, with Laurienté reportedly travelling to Portugal to undergo his medical for the Black Cats.
On Friday, the transfer market mind games were in full swing when Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali claimed that the deal is “almost done” with the newly-promoted Premier League side.
“The player is on his way for medicals, and we’ve already reached an agreement with Sunderland,” Carnevali told guests at the United Charity Gala dinner on Friday. “We’re in the final stages; I think we’ll make everything official tomorrow or Sunday.”
The pressure was always building on Bologna sporting director Giovanni Sartori, who had to be decisive to poach the Frenchman in time.
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – DECEMBER 22: Giovanni Carnevali of US Sassuolo talks with Aurelio De … More
Laurienté is seeking a new challenge after three restless seasons at Sassuolo, which began brilliantly in 2022-23 (7 goals, 6 assists in Serie A) before taking an unexpected downward spiral when the club suffered relegation in 2024.
Still, the Frenchman stuck around and took Serie B by the scruff of the neck, scoring 18 league goals to win the Paolo Rossi (top scorer) award ahead of Spezia starlet Francesco Pio Esposito (17), while comfortably beating his Neroverdi teammates Nicholas Pierini (10) and Samuele Mulattieri (9).
With five assists to boot, it’s no wonder Bologna is keen, but that was dependent on Sartori shifting wantaway winger Dan Ndoye for a price believed to be higher than $41 million.
Napoli were frontrunners for Ndoye’s signature, but then instead bought Noa Lang from PSV Eindhoven for $29 million.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 27: Dan Ndoye of Bologna celebrates victory with the Player of the Match … More
Premier League or Serie A?
Having proved himself in both Serie A and Serie B, Laurienté is wanted by new Sunderland sporting director Florent Ghisolfi, who joined the Black Cats this summer after a quickfire stint at Roma last term.
But at Bologna, Lauriente’s pace, presence of mind, and ruthlessness in front of goal make him the perfect candidate to replace Ndoye and uphold Vincenzo Italiano’s attack-minded philosophy. It was this lethal combination of attributes that caught the eye of Carnevali, who signed the 26-year-old from Ligue 1 outfit Lorient in 2022 for $11 million.
At the time, Sassuolo had cashed in on a number of their best attackers when they sold Gianluca Scamacca to West Ham ($44M), Hamed Traore to Bournemouth ($29M), and Giacomo Raspadori to Napoli ($33M).
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Armand Lauriente and Domenico Berardi of US Sassuolo shake … More
Despite losing such names, Alessio Dionisi’s side transitioned seamlessly as Laurienté combined spectacularly with Domenico Berardi to ensure survival during a rollercoaster campaign. The following summer, plenty of enquiries arrived for the French U21 international.
In turn, Napoli were close to signing Laurienté in 2023, but negotiations broke down as Aurelio De Laurentiis prioritised securing replacements for defender Kim min-Jae, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli and coach Luciano Spalletti.
Laurienté had also piqued the interest of Roma and Besiktas at the time, but he remained at the Mapei Stadium to partner Berardi and Andrea Pinamonti in attack.
Following Berardi’s knee injury which kept him out for 21 top-tier matches, coach Dionisi was sacked in March after just one win in 13, and relegation was confirmed on match day 37, ending the club’s 11-year spell in Serie A.
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – APRIL 14: Armand Lauriente of US Sassuolo competes for the ball with … More
Laurienté’s versatility in attack
Maurauding in from either wing, Laurienté’s best position is on the left. Following 45 career goals and 28 assists in 197 league matches, this is the perfect time for Sassuolo to cash in. Carnevali can ask a higher price if he sells this summer instead of next, as there are only two years remaining on Laurienté’s current deal, which expires in 2027.
The race to beat Sunderland to Laurienté’s signature appears all but over for Bologna thanks to failed negotiations with Napoli for Ndoye. This week, the reigning Serie A champions announced the arrival of Noa Lang from PSV Eindhoven. The Dutchman operates anywhere across the frontline – a carbon copy of Laurienté – while Ndoye is strictly a wide man.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest entered negotiations to take Ndoye to England, with Sartori unwilling to lower his asking price of $41 million, an issue that also deterred Napoli.
The other option for Sartori is to buy Laurienté and shift Ndoye in January or during next year’s World Cup.
How Much?
Sassuolo was always seeking offers of over $23 million for Laurienté. But even with a club willing to pay such a fee, the Serie B champions will find it difficult to find someone with his unique attacking style.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, lifts The Sky Bet Championship … More
If Sunderland coach Régis Le Bris does indeed sign Laurienté over the weekend, Carnevali can move quickly to fill the vacancy in Sassuolo, with free agent Lorenzo Insigne, Como’s Alieu Fadera and Inter’s Tajon Buchanan all shortlisted.
“Laurienté’s departure will bring us around €20 million ($23M), a figure that will allow us to make useful investments to be able to face the league,” Carnevali added. “We’ll have to find some alternatives, because there’s still a long way to go in the market.”
