Bologna forward Simone Verdi has assured the club that he has no intentions of leaving when the transfer window opens next month, amidst speculation from Inter Milan and Napoli along with West Ham United. A report in Italy claims that the striker has promised the club that he won’t depart in January which would come as a blow for the Hammers who has been previously linked with the player. In an interview with Sky Sports Italia, the 25-year-old said, “I want to end the season here.”
Verdi is highly versatile and can play as a winger or as a forward. He is also a two-footed footballer, as evidenced by his incredible accomplishment of scoring two free kicks – one left-footed, one right – during the same Serie A match. He continued, “I am definitely not leaving Bologna in January, as I want to end the season here. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m staying for several more years, but I am happy here.”
The winger emerged from the famous Milan academy’s youth ranks and has earned two senior international caps for the Italian national teams courtesy of his impressive performances with Bologna in Serie A. He has featured in 18 matches for the Italian club in all competitions this season, and has scored 5 goals and made 4 assists so far.
The 25-year-old also added, “I must continue to do my best with Bologna and the final word on a call-up always rests with the Italy Coach.
“I had many Coaches in my career and they all gave me important lessons. The first who really believed in me was Giampiero Ventura, as he took me away from Milan.
“Maurizio Sarri also repeatedly told me that I could become an important player. Then I arrived here at Bologna and I flourished.”
West Ham United were previously linked with the player following the arrival of David Moyes but has now suffered a blow in the race for his services. The Hammers are currently battling hard to keep themselves in the Premier League and are now in 15th place in the league table, just two points above the relegation zone.
David Moyes could have used someone of the quality of Verdi in their quest to avoid a potential relegation dogfight in the second half of the season. Unfortunately for the East Londoners, the forward has decided to stay in Bologna for now and they would have to look elsewhere in their attempts to try and bring in some quality in January.
