Giovanni Fabbian Calls Nicolo Barella His “Role Model” & Reveals Backstory Of Udinese Transfer Saga

Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian considers Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella to be his “role model” in football.

Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the 20-year-old also gave some backstory regarding his transfer saga with Udinese this summer before he ended up making the switch to the Bologna.

This summer, midfielder Fabbian made the move away from Inter to join Udinese.

The Italian youth team international had been one of the outstanding players from the Nerazzurri’s youth academy system.

Last season, Fabbian had been out on loan with Reggina in Serie B. There, the youngster got off to a flying start in the senior professional game.

Reggina named Fabbian as their best player of the season.

The sense was always that the 20-year-old would therefore be ready to make the step up to Serie A this season.

And there was, naturally, no shortage of interest in Fabbian’s signature.

Inter considered loan interest from quite a few clubs. And then, it seemed as though the Nerazzurri were close to selling the midfielder to Udinese on a permanent basis.

Fabbian was to join the Friulani as part of a deal which would see Lazar Samardzic come the other way.

But the Nerazzurri’s signing of Fabbian collapsed in dramatic fashion. Therefore, Fabbian also did not join Udinese.

Instead, the 20-year-old joined Bologna.

The Emilans have signed Fabbian on a permanent basis from Inter, although as the player himself points out, the Nerazzurri still retain a buyback option on him so it is not as though they have lost control of his future.

Giovanni Fabbian Praises Nicolo Barella, Gives Backstory On Failed Udinese Deal

Regarding his biggest role models, Fabbian named “Barella, Kroos, though the latter is more elegant than I am.”

He also noted that “As a youngster I studied Pogba. And a couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to come up against him.”

Of his failed transfer to Udinese, Fabbian noted that “I was in Rome for two days for the medicals on the move to Udinese.”

“And I was waiting,” he continued.

“With everything that was happening, I had no idea what would be in store for me that month.”

“It was exhausting, but in the meantime I had gone on the preseason tour with Inter,” Fabbian noted.

As for whether Salernitana were also in for him, the midfielder replied “No. As soon as I got the call from Bologna that’s where I decided to go. Because they have a top organization, and [Thiago] Motta spoke to me.”

As for whether he regrets leaving Inter, Fabbian said that “I don’t think about things like that.”

“And besides, they have a buyback option on me.”

“I’m happy to be here,” he said of joining Bologna. “The important thing for me is playing as much as possible.”