Riccardo Orsolini has broken his silence regarding his decision to commit his long-term future to Bologna, revealing that multiple Serie A clubs attempted to hijack his contract extension before he put pen to paper until 2031.
Addressing rumors surrounding his salary demands in a recent interview, the 29-year-old winger firmly rejected the notion that the new deal was driven purely by financial incentives, noting that he could have secured a far more lucrative move abroad last summer.
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Subscribe"Many said it was a matter of money, but it’s not true. If it was about money, I would have left last summer already to get 10 million euros per season," Orsolini stated while addressing the speculation over his lucrative terms.
The Italian international admitted that interest extended beyond foreign leagues into domestic competition, with rival Italian clubs making last-minute pleas for him to stall his decision and consider running down his previous agreement.
Orsolini Eyes Azzurri Return Under Roberto Mancini
"Even just before signing, some Serie A clubs called me to say: Wait a second, think about it. It would have been easy to make a final season here and then leave for free," Orsolini explained, shedding light on the intense behind-the-scenes pressure.
Despite significant roster changes that saw high-profile departures from the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Orsolini expressed confidence in the project under newly appointed head coach Domenico Tedesco, whose modern approach heavily influenced his choice to stay.
Beyond his club commitments, Orsolini addressed his international ambitions with the Italy national team following the appointment of Roberto Mancini, emphasizing a deeper desire to restore national pride and fan connection.
"First of all, I hope Italy can regain the same connection with the fans that I had as a kid with the 2006 team," Orsolini said when discussing his aspirations of earning a regular spot back in the Azzurri squad.