Torino President Urbano Cairo confirms Raoul Bellanova ‘wanted to leave’ for Atalanta and hit back at angry fans. ‘I am not a bottomless well of money.’
The deal was effectively done last night, reportedly for €20m plus another €5m in performance-related bonuses, with the player set to undergo a medical on Thursday.
Last season, the 24-year-old right-wing-back scored one goal with seven assists in 37 Serie A appearances.
Bellanova exit annoys Torino supporters
This news irritated Torino fans and prompted President Cairo to hit back at those critical of his strategy and ambition.
“He wanted to leave and I do not keep players against their will,” the patron told reporters.
“Besides, we have other quality players. I put €72m of my own money into Toro! I am not a bottomless well of money.”
The Granata are certainly making a big profit on Bellanova, who was purchased from Cagliari for €7m only a year ago.
He was a product of the Milan youth academy, sold to Girondins de Bordeaux in 2019, moving on to loans at Atalanta in 2020, then Pescara, Cagliari and Inter.
Bellanova is not the only big sale this summer, as Torino also sold Alessandro Buongiorno to Napoli for circa €35m.