Bologna midfielder Remo Freuler has said that what players “have here in Bologna is hard to find elsewhere” amid a summer of heavy speculation on the future of several of his teammates.

Sam Beukema has already departed the club to join fellow Serie A side Napoli this summer and talented Swiss forward Dan Ndoye is being strongly linked with a move to either Napoli or Nottingham Forest.

However Freuler made it clear, when talking to press at the team’s pre-season camp, he didn’t want to single anyone out and stressed the need to remain focused not he club: “I talk to Dan [Ndoye] often, but about things outside of football. Today I’m here to talk about Bologna, not about other players.”

Freuler: ‘We try to give players reason to stay at Bologna but it is their decision’

During the press conference, Freuler was questioned as to how the experienced players can help to stop star players from leaving, to which he responded: “I don’t really know!” Freuler continued, “They know what kind of group they have here and what they would be leaving behind but, in the end, it is their decision. We try to share our perspective and give them reasons to stay but the final call is theirs. What they have here at Bologna is hard to find elsewhere but if they choose to go, it means they have thought it through carefully.”

Freuler also looked ahead to the new season, with Bologna’s 2024-25 Coppa Italia success qualifying the club for a place in the Europa League. The Swiss international relished the prospect of more continental football, saying “It’s a competition that I have always liked. It’s really enjoyable and is very competitive. We’ll give it everything we’ve got and try to go as far as possible.”

The 33-year-old was ever present for his side last season, playing 49 times for the club in all competitions – including seven times in the Champions.