Sassuolo boss Alessio Dionisi admits Maxime Lopez is considering his future at the club, but he is happy with how the Neroverdi replaced the ‘extraordinary’ Hamed Traorè.

The Neroverdi sent the Ivory Coast international to Bournemouth in January window for €30m, bringing in Nedim Bajrami from Empoli for €6m.

Maxime Lopez had been linked with a move to Barcelona before the January transfer window and Dionisi admits the France midfielder is considering his future at the club.

“We are monitoring Maxime’s situation, it’s not something physical but psychological. Players must have the desire and determination to play for this club,” he said at a press conference.

Dionisi had said in October that seeing Maxime Lopez move to Nou Camp in January would have been a ‘source of pride’ for everyone at the club.

“Bajrami brings different characteristics, I am convinced he can do well, I am happy we signed him,” the Italian tactician continued during his press conference on Friday.

“We sold an extraordinary player like Traorè, but we signed the right replacement. I am sure his teammates will help him and I am sure he will help us.”

Traorè explained hi his first interview as a Bournemouth player that he moved to the Premier League to follow in the footsteps of his idols Didier Drogba and Yaya Tourè. So, how do Sassuolo operate during transfer windows?

“It’s teamwork, some decisions are up to the coach, some depend on the President and others on the director. It’s important to respect the roles when you are part of a company,” explained Dionisi.

The Neroverdi beat Milan 5-2 at San Siro on Sunday and will face Atalanta at home tomorrow.

“Surely the match with Milan have boosted our self-confidence which we lacked after a bad run of results. We must go ahead with awareness and humility,” admitted the 42-year-old.

“Perhaps, Atalanta are the most in-form team at the moment, they play vertically and can score in many ways.”

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