Parma Transfer Market: Circati’s Replacement Found Immediately. Como and Bologna Were Also Interested in Him

Parma is moving on after the sale of Alessandro Circati to Benfica: the Italian-Australian defender is transferring to Portugal for approximately 20 million euros; the deal with the Eagles was finalized in the last few hours. The Crociati will reinvest part of this money to immediately find a replacement: according to Globo Esporte, the Gialloblu have set their sights on Diego Carlos. The Brazilian player, owned by Fenerbahçe, spent last season on loan at Como, which had hoped to renew the deal for this season as well.

But Parma’s entry into the picture has changed the game: the Emilia-Romagna-based club is negotiating with Fenerbahçe on the basis of a loan with an option to buy, and the player’s agents have already given their approval for the deal. Last season, Diego Carlos—who was also linked to Bologna—played 27 Serie A matches, scoring one goal and helping Como qualify for the Champions League.

For Alessandro Circati, this marks the end of a long and intense chapter with the Ducali, one that began in February 2021 with the Primavera team and continued brilliantly with the first team, where the defender made his Serie B debut. His commitment to Parma was solidified as recently as February 2025 with a contract extension through 2029—a move strongly supported by the club even during a challenging time for the player, as he was recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

In total, Circati has made 95 appearances in all competitions in the yellow-and-blue jersey, scoring two goals. Several major clubs, both Italian and European, had previously shown interest in the 2003-born player. Juventus and Milan had made exploratory inquiries in recent months, with the Bianconeri particularly interested in him as the ideal candidate to rejuvenate their defense. PSG and Bologna had also been linked to the player previously.