Bologna forward Dan Ndoye, a transfer target for both Napoli and Nottingham Forest, suffered an unfortunate injury mere seconds into a pre-season friendly against Virtus Verona on Sunday evening.
The Swiss international, who has been linked with a move to Antonio Conte`s Napoli throughout the summer and more recently to Forest in the Premier League, was named in the starting lineup for Bologna`s warm-up match. He joined Riccardo Orsolini, Giovanni Fabbian, and Santiago Castro in attack, supported by a midfield duo of Lewis Ferguson and Michel Aebischer.
Ndoye`s Brief Appearance
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Ndoye was on the receiving end of an overly aggressive challenge from the opposition right-back just 20 seconds into the match. The game was paused for several minutes as Ndoye received treatment on the pitch.
Although he managed to get back on his feet, Ndoye`s participation in the friendly was cut short. He was substituted in the fourth minute, with returning loanee Jesper Karlsson taking his place for the remainder of the first half.
Precautionary Measure
Di Marzio`s report suggests that Ndoye`s withdrawal was primarily precautionary. At present, there is no indication of a severe injury or extended absence. However, the incident may raise concerns for both Bologna and the clubs interested in acquiring Ndoye`s services.
The unexpected early exit from the pre-season friendly could potentially impact ongoing transfer negotiations, depending on the severity of Ndoye`s condition. Both Napoli and Nottingham Forest will likely be monitoring the situation closely as they consider their transfer options.