Bologna director Claudio Fenucci insists the Rossoblu want to keep Thiago Motta, Joshua Zirkzee and their best players beyond the summer and feels the coach has a ‘longer contract.’
Motta’s Bologna sit fourth in the Serie A table, so they are in the race to qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League.
Motta’s contract expires in the summer, and several top clubs, including Milan, Juventus, and Manchester United, are said to be interested in the former Italy international. However, the Rossoblu will fight to keep Motta at the Stadio Dall’Ara next season.
“The coach has been the architect of this growth, and we hope he and the players will stay. Thiago is happy at Bologna; it’s like he has a longer contract,” Fenucci told Radio 1, as quoted by TMW.
“As for Joshua, we don’t like to talk about the future of our players; we prefer to live in the present because there is great enthusiasm. Our desire is to keep everyone.”
Other players have impressed at the Stadio Dall’Ara this season, including Scotland international Lewis Ferguson.
“One of our secrets is our organisation. Ferguson, Calafiori…you can mention single players, but it’s not fair to leave somebody behind,” insisted Fenucci.
“Experienced players like Remo Freuler are contributing. The idea is to keep as many players as possible, but talking about the future today is simplistic.
“Aside from the Champions League, qualifying for Europe would be a great signal for Italian football,” continued the Bologna director.
“Like Atalanta did in the past, we have a rigorous club organisation, with the right people in the technical area, a coach and players who are going beyond expectations.”
Bologna lost 1-0 to Inter on Saturday, but they have won 14 games from 28 this season and are enjoying a three-point lead over fifth-placed Roma in the Serie A table.
The Rossoblu return to the pitch on Saturday against strugglers Empoli at the Stadio Castellani.