Two sales practically closed to secure the balance sheet, another to have a first treasury to be used for the first reinforcement operations, waiting for the big maneuvers with the sales of the big names. Cagliari does the math and prepares to launch its market, targeting Gianluca Lapadula , 32, fresh from atrocious disappointment with Peru, eliminated in the World Cup race by Australia, and chosen as a pick for Fabio's attack Liverani.

Hunt for the bomber

A total facelift Cagliari , even in attack. There is an air of returns for Alberto Cerri and Daniele Ragatzu , even if in the latter case it will be necessary to sweeten the pill in Olbia, which has built its fortunes in the last two championships on the “Pibe di Quartu”. But the sporting director Stefano Capozucca is looking for a category bomber, one of those that offer solid realities. Just like Lapadula, 32, born in Turin, but of Peruvian nationality, someone who has always lived for goals and who has exported this hunger to the South American national team as well.

He did it in the lottery of penalties against Australia, but it was not enough to win the play-off and collect the pass for Qatar 2022, left to the kangaroos. "Italy would need someone like Lapadula," said Roberto Baggio in recent days, one who understands goals and champions. And if the national team needs it, let alone Cagliari.

Liverani, then, Lapadula knows him well: in Lecce he was his bomber in Serie A, trust rewarded with the beauty of 11 goals in 25 appearances, the best tally in the top league of the player who also wore the shirts of Pescara, Milan and Genoa. Today Lapadula still has a one-year contract with Benevento, with whom he scored 11 goals in the regular season and another 2 in the playoffs last season. President Vigorito values him no less than 2.5 million, while the striker has a contract of 1.8 million per season. A figure that, at the moment, makes him over budget for Cagliari . Unless Benevento lowers its claims and the player goes to spread the salary over several years. The alternative remains Massimo Coda from Lecce , 33 years old and 20 goals in the last season. With Milan, again, there was talk of the very young Serbian striker Marko Lazetic , 18, who would come on loan.

Bellanova's time

The meeting on Monday evening in Milan with the Inter management looks a lot like a forerunner for the transfer of Bellanova to the Nerazzurri . Cagliari appreciates the idea of including nineteen-year-olds Cesare Casadei (midfielder) and Franco Carboni (left winger) in the deal, but it cannot be excluded that they will close only for money, with 8 million safe and 2 bonuses. Money that would be added to the 18.5 million that Cagliari will collect for the permanent sales of Guglielmo Vicario (Empoli) and Giovanni Simeone (Verona).

No hurry

Having solved the most urgent exits, Cagliari will be able to dedicate itself without too much pressure to the sales of its big names. Starting with Joao Pedro, whose valuation of 10 million has, for now, frozen the attack of Turin . Monza and Salernitana are also interested in the scorer captain, but a relaunch is expected at home, perhaps even from some foreign club. For Cragno, on the other hand, the goalkeepers' waltz is expected to start, which could also involve the number 28 of Cagliari. Among the many coming out also Marin, in the sights of Empoli and valued at around 10-12 million .

Alberto Masu

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