Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno is targeted by Napoli, Milan, Juventus, Inter and Tottenham, but President Urbano Cairo insists ‘he is our ideal captain.’
There are reports that Antonio Conte specifically requested Buongiorno to bolster his new-look Napoli squad at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“I have not seen Conte in a long time, I don’t know whether he is fixated on Buongiorno, but I would be very happy if he remained with us, because he is our ideal captain and has been with us for 18 years,” Cairo told Sky Sport Italia.
The centre-back turned 25 this week and is in the Italy squad preparing for the EURO 2024 campaign.
He came up through the Toro youth academy and, following loan spells at Carpi and Trapani, became a stalwart of the Granata defence.
Torino cling to Buongiorno
“It is good that we have two Torino players at the Euros with Italy. It’s a pity for Samuele Ricci, who had a great season and would’ve deserved inclusion, but we are very pleased for Buongiorno and Bellanova.”
There had also been reports Milan made a bid for Buongiorno during the January transfer window, but that was brushed off by Cairo.
“If they did come knocking, then it wasn’t very loud…”
Torino are currently without a coach after Ivan Juric walked away, but are rumoured to have agreed terms with Venezia boss Paolo Vanoli.
However, they would need to pay Venezia a release clause in his contract following their promotion to Serie A.
“I wouldn’t know, as I have not yet made that decision,” replied Cairo.