Interest in Ognjen Ugrešić is intensifying, with Bologna and Sassuolo both competing to acquire the promising young talent from Partizan as the Serie A transfer season becomes more active.
Recent reports suggest that Softfootball has learned that the two clubs are keeping a close watch on the skilled midfielder and are likely to enhance their efforts shortly to secure one of the top emerging players in the region.
Sassuolo is poised to make a move if Kristian Thorstvedt, whose performance has garnered interest from Fiorentina, departs. The Viola aim to finalize a deal for the Norwegian international, and if successful, it would enable Sassuolo to more aggressively pursue Ugrešić.
On the other hand, Bologna is eager to bolster its roster ahead of the new season, seeing the Partizan midfielder as a candidate who could contribute immediately while also presenting considerable long-term value.
Chelsea has already made a significant move this summer by securing the transfer of rising Italian full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
The agreement includes a transfer fee of €50 million, with an additional €5 million in performance-related bonuses, for the 21-year-old defender, who excelled during his loan at Bologna and emerged as one of the standout young defenders in Serie A last season.
As Chelsea wraps up the arrival of Palestra and Italian clubs vie for emerging talent, the summer transfer window is progressing rapidly as teams throughout Europe restructure their line-ups ahead of the 2026/27 season.
