Bologna challenge Manchester United for Velez midfielder | OneFootball

Bologna have put Velez midfielder Christian Ordonez on their radar but are aware that they may be forced to move already in January if they want to beat the competition of two Premier League sides, one of which is Manchester United.

Renowned for their ability to spot talents ahead of other teams, especially since hiring Giovanni Sartori as their technical director, the Rossoblu have set sights on the 20-year-old in recent months and feel that he could be worth a significant investment in the winter transfer window.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – SEPTEMBER 14: Iker Muniain of San Lorenzo and Alexis Cuello of San Lorenzo fight for the ball with Christian Ordonez of Velez Sarsfield during the Liga Profesional 2024 match between San Lorenzo and Velez Sarsfield at Pedro Bidegain Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)

Man United competition prompts Bologna to make January move for Ordonez

Until now, Velez kept requiring the payment of his $10m release clause to let the player go, a prospect that the Stadio Dall’Ara outfit may be prompted to consider after clubs like Manchester United, Brentford and River Plate joined the race to sign the youngster.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Bologna are confident that Santiago Castro, a former teammate of Ordonez, could help persuade the dynamic midfielder to make the same move and turn down interest from other suitors, especially after proving to settle particularly well to Serie A in his first months at the club.

Santiago Castro of Bologna celebrates with teammate Benjamin Dominguez after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Coppa Italia match between Bologna FC and AC Monza at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 03, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

While the Argentinean outfit have been firm on their position about the asking price, the Rossoblu could overcome their resistance by offering more than $10m this month, with the possibility of paying the figure in instalments and including a sell-on clause in the deal.

The Serie A side would also be ready to sell the likes of Nikola Moro and Oussama El Azzouzi to make room for Ordonez, while Aston Villa seem interested in a move for Kacper Urbanski.