Gassama reopens the bridge between Russia and Serie A
Secondo Tuttomercatoweb.
Context
Nathan Gassama, a young Malian defender born in 2001, has shown potential in Kaliningrad's Baltika, a club that recently regained the Russian top division. His arrival at Bologna marks a significant step in his career, allowing him to compete with a higher level of competition in Serie A.
Why it matters
The purchase of Nathan Gassama represents an important reopening of ties between Serie A and the Russian Premier League, after years of isolation caused by the war in Ukraine. This transfer not only marks a change in the market, but also offers Bologna the opportunity to strengthen their defense at a crucial moment, following Lucumì's departure to Juventus.
Key points
- Gassama reopens the bridge between Russia and Serie A.
- Bologna is close to purchasing defender Nathan Gassama from the Russian Premier League, marking a return to the Russian market after years of isolation due to the war in Ukraine.
- Gassama reopens the bridge between Russia and Serie A. In the last two years only one redemption...
Bologna is about to complete the purchase of defender Nathan Gassama, a young Malian talent born in 2001, who will have the responsibility of replacing the departing Lucumì, who moved to Juventus. This transfer represents an important novelty in the Italian market, as it marks a reopening of links between Serie A and the Russian Premier League, after a long period of isolation due to the war in Ukraine.
In recent years, the Russian market has undergone a drastic contraction, with a significant decrease in transfers to Italy and vice versa. The situation has been aggravated by the fact that Russian clubs no longer participate in European competitions, further impoverishing their league. This scenario has made it difficult for Italian teams to carry out transfer operations with Russian clubs. However, Bologna appears to have reached an agreement on a transfer that could be worth around 4.5 million euros for the signing of Gassama, a player who has shown good potential with Kaliningrad club Baltika, who recently regained the top division.
The operation was reported by scouting chief Gianmario Specchia, who identified Gassama as an interesting profile to strengthen the Emilian defence. The young defender's task will not be easy: he will have to demonstrate that he can fill the gaps left by Lucumì, especially in an initial period of adaptation to the new championship and his way of playing.
Bologna had not bought players from Russia since the transfer of Nikola Moro in 2022 from Dinamo Moscow, who was subsequently bought out. The summer of 2022 saw other significant operations, such as the transfers of Bijol to Udinese, Emil Bohinen to Salernitana and Adolfo Gaich to Hellas Verona. Since then, the market between Italy and Russia has remained almost at a standstill. There were only two transfers in 2023: Saba Sazanov to Turin and Pontus Almqvist to Parma, with the latter subsequently bought out.
2024 saw further stagnation, while in 2025 Serie B saw a couple of deals with Russia, including the loan of Dennis Hadžikadunić to Sampdoria. With the arrival of Gassama, Bologna reopens a transfer channel that seemed closed, thus giving new life to an important source of talent.
What happens now
With Gassama preparing to join Bologna, the Emilian club is expected to work to facilitate his adaptation to Italian football. The pressure will be high, as he will have to demonstrate that he can fill the void left by Lucumì, thus helping to maintain Bologna's ambitions in Serie A.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with Nathan Gassama?
Bologna is about to complete the purchase of defender Nathan Gassama, a young Malian talent.
Who confirmed Gassama's transfer?
The operation was reported by scouting chief Gianmario Specchia.
Why is Bologna now buying a player from Russia?
This transfer marks a reopening of links between Serie A and the Russian Premier League after a long period of isolation.
What changes does Gassama's arrival bring about?
Gassama will have the responsibility of replacing the departing Lucumì, who moved to Juventus.
When was Bologna's last purchase from a Russian club?
Bologna had not purchased players from Russia since Nikola Moro's transfer in 2022.
