Orsolini: Serie A clubs ‘called me’ before Bologna extension, I have one Italy hope

NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 11: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna FC 1909 celebrates after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Bologna winger Riccardo Orsolini reveals he received calls from Serie A clubs before he extended his contract with the Rossoblu and hopes the Italy national team ‘regains connection with the fans.’

Bologna winger Orsolini spoke about his recent contract extension until 2031 in an interview with Il Resto Del Carlino.

“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 €10m per season,” he said.

“I’ve read reports about the figures in my deal…I wish they were true. Respectfully speaking, if I wanted to earn more money, I wouldn’t have stayed here.”

Did he receive calls from other interested clubs?

“Yes, from those countries that cover you in gold, but also from Italy, if I have to be honest,” Orsolini admitted.

“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.”

Any message from his ex-coach Vincenzo Italiano?

“He didn’t write to me. I haven’t heard from him,” Orsolini replied.

“I texted some members of his staff. A respectful relationship remains. We wished each other the best for the new season.”

Orsolini, however, was not disappointed by Italiano’s silence: “No…perhaps he was busy.”

New Bologna coach Domenico Tedesco, on the other hand, played quite a big part in the winger’s extension.

“Absolutely. It’s a variable that played a role. He’s a strong coach and a good person,” Orsolini said.

“He impressed me from day one. We spoke for 30 minutes, and I really appreciated the man he is. As always, it takes time. We are just at the beginning. Even with Vincenzo, we didn’t start well. You need time, patience and luck. It’s all new for us.

“Tedesco doesn’t have the same pressure we are accustomed to in Italy. Pre-season tension? All silly things. The coach is more serene, modern. This is where football is going.”

Bologna have sold two of their stars this summer, Jhon Lucumi and Santiago Castro, and Jonathan Rowe might be on his way out as well, as Atalanta are in talks.

“I heard people complain when Zirkzee, Calafiori, Beukema and Ndoye left,” Orsolini argued.

“It’s been since Verdi left that I’ve been hearing complaints, but it’s part of the game.

“Obviously, the higher the quality, the better. You know how the football dynamics work. You lose one, and somebody else arrives. Perhaps he’ll even perform better. It already happened in the past.”

Orsolini, 29, has two goals in 13 appearances with the Italy national team; does he hope to return with the Azzurri now that Roberto Mancini has been appointed as the new boss?

“First of all, I hope Italy can regain the same connection with the fans that I had as a kid with the 2006 team,” he concluded.

“And, of course, I hope to put in some good performances so that I can earn a call-up.”