Turin Transfer Market: The Situation for the New Goalie Is Getting Complicated
The difficulties in reaching an agreement with San Lorenzo regarding Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill—one of the breakout stars of the World Cup who has attracted the attention of several clubs, including some in Europe—have prompted Torino to consider some alternatives as well. Among these is Federico Ravaglia. The Bologna goalkeeper is also being tracked by Watford. Torino’s sporting director, Gianluca Petrachi, reportedly proposed a loan deal with an option to buy set at 6 million euros, but Bologna would prefer to discuss a permanent transfer under different financial terms.
The situation regarding Gill has become more complicated in recent weeks: while San Lorenzo initially set his transfer fee at around 6–7 million euros, the extraordinary performances of the goalkeeper—born in 2000—at the World Cup have caused the Argentine club’s demands to rise. According to rumors, the player’s contract includes a €10 million buyout clause, a figure that Torino does not currently seem willing to meet. Gill himself, when asked about his future in the post-match interview following Paraguay’s elimination at the hands of France, explicitly expressed openness to a move to Torino: “A future at Torino? Why not—it’s a great club in Italy. But now it’s only fair that the club choose the best offer.” However, these words have not yet broken the deadlock in negotiations, with several Turkish clubs and Valencia also ready to enter the fray for Gill.
As for Ravaglia, the Bologna goalkeeper has gradually gained ground in Petrachi’s evaluations. Born in 1999 and a product of Bologna’s youth academy, he had a season that was anything but minor: 17 appearances in Serie A, 5 in the Europa League, one in the Coppa Italia, and 2 in the Italian Super Cup, for a total of 25 official appearances. Among his most notable performances were those in the two-leg Europa League tie against Roma in the round of 16 and in the difficult away match in Vigo against Celta, when Bologna traveled to Spain with a roster decimated by injuries.
The main sticking point in the negotiations, however, remains the terms of the transfer: Torino would like to include a buyback clause in the deal, while Bologna aims to cash in immediately from the sale. Competing for his signature is Watford, a Championship club that has reportedly offered the goalkeeper a guaranteed starting role and the possibility of a permanent transfer—a solution that better aligns with Bologna’s needs.
