By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Costa Bologna owner Massimo Zanetti has dismissed rumors of a corporate takeover while revealing the club wants to bring back former player Awudu Abass.
Speculation regarding the established sale process grew after meetings between club officials and Middle Eastern representatives, leading many to believe a sale to a United Arab Emirates investment group was imminent. Zanetti quickly clarified the true purpose of the meeting.
“We met to discuss Abass,” he pointed out on Monday. “[Alex] Mumbru really likes him, and we’re trying to bring him back if we can reach a financial agreement. People thought we were discussing the sale of the club, but there are no negotiations.”
The move would reunite the team with a familiar face. The 33-year-old center from Como played for Virtus from 2020 to 2024 before moving to Dubai.
A former 7DAYS EuroCup champion with Virtus Bologna in 2022, his earlier EuroLeague experience stems from EA7 Emporio Armani Milan/AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan and Mapooro Cantu. Packing deep experience, he packs a career total of 104 EuroLeague appearances, including 38 in a Bologna jersey. During the 2025–26 continental season, he averaged 3.2 points and 1.5 rebounds.
A deal could help both sides. Abass has dropped out of the rotation under head coach Xavi Pascual, even as his current team shares second place with a 7–3 record in the 2026–27 Regular Season. Meanwhile, the Italian side has struggled, sitting at 4–6 and placed two games outside the Play-In Showdown zone.
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