Bologna face Premier League battle to keep in-form Jonathan Rowe
Bologna are preparing for significant interest in winger Jonathan Rowe this summer, following a series of standout performances that have drawn the attention of Premier League clubs. The 22-year-old Englishman, signed from Norwich City last summer for a reported €19.5 million, has become a key figure for Thiago Motta's side, particularly in their run to the Europa League quarter-finals.
According to reports from Italy, scouts from three unnamed Premier League clubs were in attendance for Bologna’s 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final. Rowe was a constant threat against Unai Emery’s side, earning post-match praise from the Villa manager. "Rowe was a threat. He certainly caused us more problems than we could have anticipated," Emery said after the match.
Rowe’s form has been a revelation in 2024. Since the start of the calendar year, he has scored six goals and provided two assists across all competitions. His European campaign has been particularly impressive, with goals against Celtic, Maccabi Haifa, and Aston Villa, adding to his strikes against Hellas Verona and Cremonese in Serie A. This rich vein of form has seen his estimated market value soar to a reported €45 million, more than double the fee Bologna paid Norwich City just last summer.
The club’s sporting director, Giovanni Sartori, pursued Rowe for over a month last summer, finally securing his signature ahead of reported interest from Roma. After a period of adaptation to Italian football, Rowe has flourished under manager Thiago Motta, who has utilized him on both the left wing and as a central striker. His pace, direct dribbling, and eye for goal have made him a fan favorite and a crucial part of Bologna’s push for Champions League qualification.
Despite the growing interest, Bologna’s official stance is that Rowe is not for sale. Club officials are working on a new, improved contract for the winger, who is under contract until 2028, in an effort to ward off potential suitors. The club sees him as a cornerstone of their project and are determined to build a competitive team around their young stars. However, the financial power of the Premier League and Rowe’s own stated ambition to return to England one day present a significant challenge.
Rowe himself has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League again in the future, a dream he has held since leaving Norwich. With Bologna on the cusp of a historic Champions League qualification, the club’s ability to offer top-level European football next season could be a decisive factor in convincing the player to stay. The coming months will reveal whether Bologna can resist the inevitable financial and sporting pressure that will come for their prized asset this summer.
