Here’s a very simple transfer rule: If you loan a player to a Serie A club and insert a buying option, it is is very unlikely that option will be used, regardless of whether he does well or not.
The same is true for La Liga, and it’s a trap many English clubs have fallen into. They negotiate a reasonable deal for all parties but forget that the other side has no intention of sticking to it.
This is the case of Leicester City, Victor Kristiansen and Bologna.
Last season, the 21-year-old played 34 matches for the Serie A side and was very much a regular for them. They like him, they want to keep him, there’s a belief he could be valuable in the future, but will they use the €15m clause they agreed with Leicester City? No, of course not.
Corriere dello Sport report Bologna have informed the Foxes that they want a deal to be agreed, but are looking for a ‘strong discount’ and would like to pay €11-12m.
Kristiansen and his entourage are said to be keen on the player staying at the Italian side.
Almost as a matter of principle, Leicester City need to get that €15m. They’re in a stronger position having been promoted to the Premier League and there’s no reason they should just hand out discounts.
Perhaps if Bologna offered €12m plus €3m in reasonable bonus payments then that would be more palatable.
