“Kofler is not available for less than 3 million”

Filipe Bordon in defense, Mamadou Coulibaly and Simone Tronchin in midfield, Emanuele Pecorino and Jonathan Italeng up front – with these five new signings, FC Südtirol is practically complete for 2025/26. For now. "Because the market is open, and in football, you never know what will happen," said sporting director Paolo Bravo. "But yes, the team for the new season is largely complete. Now we need to let go of one or two players."

There were no major changes because players like Raphael Kofler, Nicola Pietrangeli, and Andrea Giorgini remain under contract with FC Südtirol. "Anyone who wants them has to meet FC Südtirol's financial demands. And that's not all: without an equivalent replacement, no departures. I won't let a player leave until I've found a suitable successor."

Paolo Bravo, sporting director of FC Südtirol. © DLife

Bravo emphasized that it had not received any concrete offers for Kofler and Pietrangeli. "Palermo inquired about Giorgini, but then didn't hear anything further," revealed the sporting director. The 23-year-old Giorgini has a contract with FCS until 2027 and is the cheapest of the three defensive gems. Bravo is demanding a transfer fee of between 500.000 and one million euros for him. “Raphael Kofler brings us 600.000 to 700.000 euros annually.” Paul Bravo Kofler and Pietrangeli, whom Bravo holds in high esteem, are operating in entirely different spheres. "Kofler is not available for less than €3 million," Bravo clarified. "Raphael brings us €600.000 to €700.000 annually," the sporting director said, referring to the funds available for the use of young players. FC Südtirol typically earns around €1,8 million thanks to this scheme, which rewards the development of talent.

Bargains from Rimini Pietrangeli will also require a deep dive into the pockets if the club wants to sign the 25-year-old from Rome, who ended up starting 27 times and scoring four goals in his first Serie B season. "€1,5 million is certainly not enough for Pietrangeli," emphasized Bravo, who lured the defensive colossus from Rimini in Serie C to South Tyrol a year ago for a reported €40.000.

Other FCS players are welcome to leave the club for free, even if they are still under contract. Tommaso Arrigoni is known to play no role in coach Fabrizio Castori's plans and is awaiting a call from Serie B. Giacomo Poluzzi is also looking for a new club. Giacomo Drago and Daniel Theiner are two other goalkeepers in the FCS training camp who have no future at FC Südtirol. "We want to loan Drago. We had already agreed on Renate, but then the goalkeeper there stayed, so the loan fell through," explained the sporting director. "We want to let Theiner go permanently."

Giacomo Poluzzi is looking for a new club. © Ufficio Stampa FCS - Photo Bordoni

Bravo is planning to use an experienced goalkeeper behind regular goalkeeper Marius Adamonis. "But space must be created first," said the sporting director, referring to the trio of Poluzzi, Drago, and Theiner. The junior goalkeeper, who will be new, will serve as the third goalkeeper at least until January. Bravo is bringing in a goalkeeper from Atalanta's talent factory, and the deal is nearing completion.

The signing of Atalanta striker Italeng, however, has been confirmed since last weekend. "He's an attacker who seeks depth, physically strong. That's exactly the type of striker we were looking for. We had him on our list from the beginning; Castori wanted him," Bravo said, pleased with the successful conclusion of the negotiations.

“Considerable sums” Italeng, Pecorino, and Brazil's U20 international Filipe Bordon are on loan in South Tyrol, but can be signed permanently in a year. However, their respective parent clubs have a buy-back option. In Bordon's case, FCS can acquire the Brazilian for €800.000, while Lazio can buy the central defender back for €XNUMX million. Bravo declined to confirm the figures, but spoke of a considerable sum for Bordon, Italeng, and Pecorino.

By comparison, the price for Finnish U21 international Niklas Pyyhtiä was €200.000, while Bologna had the right to buy back the player with a fixed transfer fee of "only" €230.000. This time, the profits are likely to be significantly higher. Bravo also negotiated performance bonuses for Juve striker Pecorino's loan deal – as he did with Pyyhtiä last winter. Put simply, this means: the more Pecorino plays, the cheaper he becomes. This is common practice in loan deals.

Bravo's focus now is on offloading players. Lorenzo Lonardi's move to Ravenna will become official once last season's Serie D team officially moves up to Serie C, which is a mere formality. Sambenedettese and Cerignola are interested in signing Cristian Shiba, while Alessandro Vimercati, who is currently in training camp and is expected to move on loan, has recently been mentioned as a potential reinforcement for Lumezzane and Picerno.

The summer transfer window remains open until September 1. "Even though the squad is largely set, we'll see what opportunities arise," Bravo said. There might still be room for a young midfielder and striker, "but at a later date." Castori currently has two options at number six: Tronchin, 22, and captain Fabian Tait, who has had a difficult year and actually plays to his strengths better as an eight.

Bordon can also play in that position, as can Kofler – but they're both trained central defenders. In attack, Castori called for five strikers last winter, at least; currently, there are four. A fifth attacker is certainly not a must, but Bravo will still keep an eye out.

Budget: FCS again among the bottom teams The fact is: FC Südtirol will once again have one of the smallest budgets in the new Serie B season. The perennial bottom team in this ranking, Cittadella, is no longer in the league after being relegated to the 3rd division. Last year, Carrarese also spent less than FCS, while Mantova and Juve Stabia spent a similar amount. "Mantova has made significant financial gains now; I think they're a candidate for the play-offs," said Bravo. A problem that affects all "small" clubs in Serie B: the TV money pot is getting smaller, not bigger. Newly promoted Virtus Entella, Padova, and Pescara will enter the new season with roughly similar budgets to FC Südtirol. Avellino, on the other hand, has already been splurging in Serie C.

Serie B Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Frosinone	20	38:18	42
2. Venice	20	37:16	41
3.Monza	20	29:17	38
4. Palermo	20	30:14	37
5. Cesena	20	27:22	34
6. Modena	20	28:17	32
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“Kofler is not available for less than 3 million”

With five new signings and almost no departures, FC Südtirol's squad for the 2025/26 season is taking shape. Sporting Director Paolo Bravo is committed to continuity, targeted reinforcements, and a tough approach to negotiations. However, several players still have to leave the Serie B club.

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