Trabzonspor have turned to Serie A for a Plan B after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni stayed put. The Black Sea club have opened talks with Bologna over Riccardo Orsolini, a winger closing in on a free transfer next winter.

What’s the move about?

According to Fanatik, Trabzonspor see Orsolini as a viable alternative if Prestianni’s deal drags on. The Italian is out of contract in a few months and has been at Bologna since 2018, when Juventus sold him for €15 million. He has two goals in 13 Italy caps and can play on either flank, though he drifts inside from the right to fire his left foot.

Last season Orsolini struck 14 times with one assist in 51 competitive games for the Rossoblu. Trabzonspor’s hierarchy reckon Prestianni remains the priority, but they want a ready-made Plan B in case Lisbon stalls.

Why Trabzonspor want Orsolini now

League standing: 3rd in Süper Lig, 69 pts, 20W-9D-5L from 34 games, recent form LWDLD. With eight points behind leaders Galatasaray and only two games left in the campaign, every point counts. Orsolini’s contract situation gives Trabzonspor leverage: no transfer fee, just wages for a player who already delivers in Europe’s top five leagues.

The Italian’s versatility helps too. He can slot on the right or left, but prefers the right to cut onto his stronger left foot and test the keeper. His record against big sides-including a goal against Inter in 2025-adds weight to the scouting report.

How it fits the squad

Goals this season: 61 scored, 39 conceded (+22 goal difference. Orsolini would add another dimension to an attack that already has Edin Višća and Umut Bozok. The Black Sea club need depth after losing Enis Bardhi to injury and looking for a creative spark in wide areas.

Recent form (last 5): 4W-0D-1L (WWLWW, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run. With the title race still alive and the squad chasing a top-two finish, a proven Serie A winger could swing tight games.

What happens next

Trabzonspor’s sporting director, Fahri Uçar, is expected to fly to Italy this week to meet Bologna officials. Prestianni’s contract talks with Benfica are dragging, so Trabzonspor want to keep their powder dry. A deal for Orsolini would be a pure free transfer, slashing wage bills elsewhere to re-sign key players.

Last result: Trabzonspor 2-1 Konyaspor (2026-05-22. If the move lands, Orsolini would arrive as a ready-made option for the run-in, with the Süper Lig title still mathematically possible.