Bowie transfer: Sassuolo join Bologna in chase as Celtic links cool off

Sassuolo have become the second Serie A club to open talks with Hellas Verona over Kieron Bowie, according to the Daily Record, as competition intensifies for the £10 million-rated Scotland forward. Celtic have been credited with interest in the 23-year-old but the Scottish champions have made no recent contact over a move.

Bologna were already known admirers of Bowie, a interest stretching back to his time at Hibernian, and the Daily Record reports they remain firmly in the picture. Sassuolo’s arrival as suitors adds a fresh layer of competition for a player who lit up Serie A after his January move from Easter Road.

Scottish contingent growing at Sassuolo

The Daily Record notes Sassuolo, who finished comfortably in mid-table last season, are looking to strengthen their attack for the new campaign and see Bowie as a leading target. The club already has a Scottish presence in their squad after signing Josh Doig from Verona back in 2024, and adding Bowie would deepen that link.

Bologna, meanwhile, have their own history of shopping in the Scottish market. They previously signed Aaron Hickey, and their current captain, Lewis Ferguson, has this summer been the subject of an approach from Rangers, according to the report.

Bundesliga interest but no contact

The Daily Record also states there is significant interest from the Bundesliga in Bowie, though again no recent contact has been made with Verona over a deal. Bowie’s rapid rise has made him hot property across Europe just months after arriving in Italy.

The striker scored four goals and added an assist in just four months in Serie A, a return that made his omission from Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for their World Cup campaign a notable talking point. That form came despite playing for a struggling Verona side that ultimately suffered relegation to Serie B.

Verona want uplift on £6m fee

Verona, now back in the second tier, are said to be open to selling Bowie this summer but are holding out for a considerable uplift on the roughly £6 million they paid Hibernian for him in January. The Daily Record adds that Hibernian would be entitled to a sell-on fee as part of any future transfer, having negotiated such a clause when he left Easter Road.

With Bologna and Sassuolo both circling and Bundesliga clubs monitoring the situation, Bowie’s next move looks set to be decided within Serie A for now, even as his name continues to be floated in connection with Celtic.

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