EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd owners Ineos set sights on Serie A gem

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 17 Jan 2024 09:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester United owner Ineos has set its sights on Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno, FootballTransfers has been told.

Sources close to the situation suggest that Ineos view the Italian as a promising addition to the squad of either Man Utd or OGC Nice.

The 24-year-old has been turning heads with his impressive performances in Serie A, and sources have indicated that a deal can be done for around just €30 million.

The comparatively low valuation of the player means he could act as a fill-in at Old Trafford this season, given his ability to play across the defence, including left-back.

For Nice, a lot rides on the future of Jean-Clair Todibo, who is now liked by Bayern Munich, but also Dante. The veteran could retire at the end of the season and the club are after a long-term replacement.

AC Milan are also keen on Buongiorno and preliminary discussions are thought to be underway with the Serie A giants. His contract is up in 2028 but Torino are willing to listen to offers during the winter window, sources have indicated.

Who is Alessandro Buongiorno?

Buongiorno rose through the ranks of the Torino youth league, contributing to their success in clinching the Coppa Italia Primavera during the 2017–18 season. He then joined the first team in, 2018, signing a four-year deal.

In the subsequent 2018/19 season, Buongiorno embarked on a loan spell with Carpi. And after returning to Turin for the following term, Buongiorno reaffirmed his commitment to Torino by extending his deal with the club.

Last year, Buongiorno received his first official call-up to the senior Italy national team and played two UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches, against England and Malta.