Torino President Urbano Cairo has announced that his club have signed full-back Ola Aina from Chelsea on a permanent basis for €10m.
Aina spent last season on loan at Torino, and Cairo confirmed his club had honoured their right to purchase the 22-year-old, despite Chelsea’s apparent counter-option.
Torino President Urbano Cairo has announced that his club have signed full-back Ola Aina from Chelsea on a permanent basis for €10m.
Aina spent last season on loan at Torino, and Cairo confirmed his club had honoured their right to purchase the 22-year-old, despite Chelsea’s apparent counter-option.
“We’ve redeemed Aina for €10m, as well as Cristian Ansaldi, and Koffi Djidji. Now Torino own all their players,” he said at the Lega Serie A assembly held in Milan.
The Granata were one of the 15 clubs who voted against the proposed Champions League reforms, which consist of promotion and relegation in European competitions.
“The whole of Serie A is against the forming of a Super League as it doesn’t represent the interests of all clubs. I don’t think that 60 years of history can be wiped out solely for business.
“The Super League idea isn’t shared with most clubs as it would only benefit 14 teams. It would unbalance the competition around Europe. The resources of players and money must be spread around, not go in one direction.”
Toro finished in seventh place with 63 points last season, three away from qualification for the Europa League.
However, the tally was their highest ever recorded and the patron made no secret of his club’s ambition.
“We fought for a European place until the end of the season. We were in the running for a Champions League place but missed out by a few points.
“We want to be ambitious. That’s why I intend to keep all my best players and strengthen the squad.
“I don’t want to talk about the possibility of Milan not participating in Europe next season. We’ll wait and see what the decision is first, then we can plan ahead.
“I watched Andrea Belotti play for the national team. He had a good game, made a lot of good runs and even laid on the assist for Nicolo Barella’s goal.”