Bologna have officially signed Croatia international Martin Erlic from Sassuolo, while they continue to wait for Mats Hummels to make a decision.
The Rossoblu have qualified for the Champions League after finishing fifth in Serie A last season and need to reinforce their squad, despite selling Joshua Zirkzee to Manchester United and Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal.
Erlic is effectively a replacement for Calafiori and is coming off a good showing at EURO 2024 with Croatia.
The 26-year-old had also been linked with Torino this summer, but has now completed his transfer to Bologna.
It is reported the deal has cost around €7m plus bonuses.
New experience for Erlic
He spent practically his entire career in Italy, leaving HNK Rijeka for the Parma youth academy in 2014, then on to Sassuolo with loan spells at Sudtirol and Spezia.
It was at Spezia that Erlic worked with coach Vincenzo Italiano, who he is now reunited with at Bologna.
Meanwhile, this might not be the only EURO 2024 player joining the Stadio Dall’Ara side, as Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports Hummels has turned down offers from France and Saudi Arabia while he continues to consider the proposal from the Rossoblu.
A new defender has arrived at Casteldebole 🤩🛡#ForzaBFC #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/6IlgL1uUmQ
— Bologna FC 1909 (@Bolognafc1909) August 2, 2024