Illia Zabarnyi, Andoni Iraola Bournemouth
Credit: Imago
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sun 8 June 2025 13:43, UK
Bournemouth and Como are eyeing moves for Italy international defender Diego Coppola, sources have told Football Insider.
Coppola has attracted the interest of a number of clubs at home and abroad after an impressive campaign with Hellas Verona.
The 21-year-old helped the Italian side secure survival in Serie A and won his first cap for the Azzurri in their recent World Cup qualifier against Norway.
Coppola, who is under contract at Verona until 2027, is valued at around €15m (£12.6m).
Andoni Iraola Bournemouth
Bournemouth are in the race for Coppola (Credit Imago)
Bournemouth and Como interested in Coppola
Coppola made 34 appearances for Verona last season, starring at centre back as the Italian side finished 14th in Serie A, six points clear of the relegation zone.
Games Goals Assists Yellow Cards
34 2 0 10
Coppola’s Serie A stats 2024/25
In the same division, Como ended their first season in the top-flight in 10th under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, and the Spaniard now wants to add the defender to his ranks.
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However, Bournemouth want to bring Coppola to England, with Andoni Iraola’s side in need of defensive reinforcements after Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid for £50m.
The Cherries secured their highest-ever Premier League points total of 56 last season, on their way to a ninth-place finish in the top flight.
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen
Dean Huijsen has joined Real Madrid (Copyright: xIzzyxPoles/NewsxImagesx)
Coppola could be Zabarnyi’s replacement
Huijsen’s departure may not be the only defensive exit on the south coast this summer, with newly crowned Champions League winners PSG interested in Illia Zabarnyi.
Coppola’s no-nonsense, defensive style of play makes him more similar to the Ukrainian centre half, rather than Huijsen, who provided more of a ball-playing aspect to the Cherries’ backline last season.
If the French champions do secure the signing of Zabarnyi, then it will be a bitter blow for Iraola, but the Bournemouth recruitment team have rarely made a wrong move over the past couple of years.
The Cherries could start next season without three of their four main defenders from the 2024/25 campaign, with Milos Kerkez expected to join Liverpool in the coming days, for a fee of around £45m.
However, the south coast side are likely to hold onto Iraola, and additions like Coppola should ensure that they are well clear of any relegation battle next May.
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