REPORT: Venezia FC deal for Gianluca Busio moving forward

The swirling maelstrom of transfer drama continues to surround Gianluca Busio.

According to prolific Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, “a total agreement” has been reached between Sporting Kansas City and Venezia FC. The 19-year-old midfielder will join the Serie A side for a fee of €4 million and add-ons. Currently with the United States Men’s National Team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, he will “be in Italy soon.”

However, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reported that the move is not yet completed. The negotiations are “ongoing, even progressing, but there’s no deal in place.” Terms between player and club also remain unresolved. Venezia is the “most likely destination” but “not a lock.”

The story has been a general tug-of-war between Italian and American media, an increasingly common occurrence. The European journalists continue to claim the transfer is at or nearing completion, with GianlucaDiMarzio.com previously publishing that Busio will be in Italy “next week.” Meanwhile, domestic reporters are cautioning against making assumptions, pointing to on-record comments from Kansas City manager Peter Vermes. Regardless of what stage the move currently inhabits, Busio appears to be departing MLS this summer and Serie A is the probable destination.

Located in the famous Renaissance city of Venice, the club earned promotion last season in thrilling fashion, completing a rapid rise from Serie D. After progressing through two playoff rounds, the Winged Lions defeated AS Cittadella on aggregate in the two-leg final with a 93^rd minute goal. Busio would be the second American to move to the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo in this transfer window, after Tanner Tessmann signed earlier this week.

Busio has long been viewed as deserving of an overseas transfer, aided by holding Italian citizenship through his father. The teenager has become a versatile midfielder and taken on the responsibilities of a deep-lying playmaker at Kansas City. His international status has also taken a step forward, recently debuting for the USMNT at the Gold Cup. This growth attracted a variety of interested parties, including Sassuolo and Fiorentina.

Venezia manager Paolo Zanetti uses a 4-3-3 formation, with Busio presumably slotting into the defensive midfielder position. The incumbent, 32-year-old Anthony Taugourdeau, played 31 matches last season but is linked with several moves back to Serie B. The young American is still fairly limited on the defensive side of the ball, requiring further physical and tactical development. A transfer to the City of Canals would be an immediate challenge, as the club attempts to stave off relegation in one of the world’s best leagues.

Would Venezia be a good move for Busio? Let us know in the comment section.