What happened: Bologna and Sassuolo are both pursuing Ognjen Ugresic from Partizan, setting up a domestic tug-of-war for the Serbian. In a linked strand of business, Kristian Thorstvedt is positioned to leave Sassuolo, with Fiorentina among the sides pushing to land him.
Why it matters: A two-club chase for the same target signals rising conviction on Ugresic and can accelerate the timeline as each side moves to avoid being outbid. Thorstvedt's potential departure would open a midfield vacancy at Sassuolo, which helps explain the urgency to secure a younger replacement profile ahead of the 2026 campaign.
What to watch: Watch for an opening bid or fee framework for Ugresic, and whether Fiorentina firm up their interest in Thorstvedt with a concrete offer.