Gianluca Busio enjoyed a career-best year with newly promoted Venezia and is reportedly receiving interest for a potential move elsewhere in Italy this season.
Busio is on the radar of Serie A side Parma, TuttoMercato reported Monday. The former Sporting KC homegrown is heading into the final season of his current contract, with his deal set to expire June 2025.
Busio, 22, helped Venezia earn promotion back to Serie A after winning the promotion playoff final last May. He scored seven goals and added five assists in 42 combined appearances for the club.
The versatile midfielder has been with Venezia for the past three seasons since his move from MLS.
Alongside fellow American midfielder Tanner Tessmann, Busio formed a strong 1-2 partnership this past season. Both Busio and Tessmann have been linked with moves elsewhere this summer despite leading Venezia back to the top flight.
Tessmann has been on the reported radar of Inter Milan, Torino, and Bologna in recent months as he also heads into the final season of his contract.
Busio is currently focused on making the U.S. men’s Olympic team later this summer after featuring heavily during Marko Mitrovic’s time as head coach. The Americans will be joined by hosts France, as well as New Zealand and Guinea in Group A of the competition.
“On the radar” often means nothing at all. Unless he and Venezia get a formal offer, its just fluff.
For sure, Busio was on the radar of most of the big name clubs as a teenager. Given Parma is also recently promoted and owned by Americans probably a little more to it than the “Busio on Man U’s radar” of 2018 and 2019.
Man, I wonder would if it be better to resign with Venezia (is that an option) … he is a known quantity to the club, staff and fans (minimize relational challenges) … Tanner is coming back so there would be some stability in the MF partnership (minimize learning curve with on field performances) … and he could get a better paycheck and stability (secure the bag).
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OTOH, he could go out and challenge himself at a new club w/ a bit more history than Venezia. And in th eprocess makes some history himself.
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Decisions, decisions.
From a CLUB perspective….Most clubs that earn promotion end up dropping back down the following season. If Venezia wants to get any return on their investment in Busio they either need to sell now or re-sign him to an extension. If they can re-sign him on the cheap and to a contract without a relegation release clause than it might be worthwhile.
If they can’t than Venezia is at risk for his salary or he leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season.
From a player perspective…being in the last year of your contract can be financially dicey. A significant injury or a bad season and your value drops quickly. His stock is currently up after helping Venezia to the 1st division so he has interest at a higher salary and for a greater duration. If he can secure a move to a club with a higher % of remaining in the top flight even better.
The proposed Tessemann to Inter included a loan back to Venezia which would be a dream scenario as he’s guaranteed a salary increase, consistent minutes this upcoming season, and staying in the 1st division. I don’t see Busio getting a similar opportunity, so he and Venenzia are going to have to decide what options best fits their goals.
Parma would obviously be a more historic club, but their recent history isn’t much better than Venezia. They are owned by Americans, Krause Group, founders of Kum & Go gas stations. Much like their stadium project in Italy has been met with rising costs and delays, their stadium development here in my state of Iowa has been delayed. USL Iowa was supposed to begin play in 2022, but now it looks like 2026 at the earliest.