Torino director Davide Vagnati has confirmed reports the club wanted to buy Josip Brekalo from Wolfsburg for €11m, but the player ‘does not want to continue with us.’
The 23-year-old Croatia international was on a one-season loan at a cost of €1m with an option to buy at the end of the season for a further €11m.
Toro were impressed by his performances, with seven goals and two assists in 31 Serie A appearances.
There had been reports in Germany with Kicker yesterday that Brekalo wanted a return to Wolfsburg, or at least to make another move away from Torino in the summer.
In a video interview on the official club website, Granata director of sport Vagnati has now confirmed that is true.
“We had more than one meeting with the player, his agent and his father. Over the last few months, he has told us that he does not want to continue with Torino.
“There are regrets, Brekalo has done well, he had a strong start and we were eager to invest in this important transfer to make his move permanent from Wolfsburg.
“We tried again last week, but he has his ideas and we must respect them. Torino want people with fire in their bellies, who really want to sweat for the shirt and wave our flag. It’s better therefore to focus on those who see Torino as their first choice.”
Brekalo had started his career at Dinamo Zagreb and moved to Wolfsburg for €10m in 2016, before he was loaned to VfB Stuttgart and then Torino.
His contract with Wolfsburg only runs to June 2023, so it is very likely he will seek to move elsewhere over the summer.
#Calciomercato | @TorinoFC_1906, #Brekalo lascerà a fine stagione https://t.co/hKBbnzNDil
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) May 16, 2022