Alan Nine
Halkbank have been linked with a big-money move for Wilfredo León, while a survey of SuperLega squads highlights the international make-up of Italy’s men’s top flight. In women’s Serie A2, Club Italia claimed another five-set win, and Costa Volpino and Busto Arsizio kept their perfect starts intact.
Transfer news: Halkbank linked with lucrative move for León
Halkbank are reportedly considering a move for Wilfredo León for the 2027/28 season, with the Ankara club looking to build a team capable of winning the Champions League. According to information attributed to Polish journalist Jakub Balcerzak, Halkbank would be prepared to offer the BOGDANKA LUK Lublin outside hitter more than €1.5 million net per season. León has yet to make a decision and is said to be waiting for a clearer picture of Lublin’s sporting plans before considering his future.León joined Lublin in 2024 after spells with Zenit Kazan and Perugia. He won four consecutive Champions League titles with Kazan between 2015 and 2018 and has since helped Lublin claim domestic silverware and the Challenge Cup.
SuperLega: Overseas contingent spans 29 countries
The 12 SuperLega Credem Banca squads feature 169 players at the start of the 2026/27 season, comprising 101 Italians and 68 overseas players from 29 countries.
France supplies the largest foreign contingent with ten players, followed by the United States with six. Belgium, Bulgaria and Brazil have five representatives apiece, while Iran has four.
The breakdown by position shows where clubs have looked abroad most often. Outside hitters account for 28 of the overseas players, followed by 16 opposites, 15 middle blockers, seven setters and two liberos. Outside hitters and opposites together make up almost two-thirds of the non-Italian contingent.
Meanwhile, Cucine Lube Civitanova have confirmed libero Fabio Balaso as captain, with outside hitter Mattia Bottolo named vice-captain. Giampaolo Medei’s side open their league campaign away to Rana Verona on Saturday.
Women’s Serie A2: Club Italia edge Trentino as leaders stay perfect
Club Italia marked their first home match in Parma with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Itas Trentino (18-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 16-14).
Twice trailing by a set, the hosts fought back before edging a tense decider. Stella Caruso earned MVP honours with 23 points, while Trentino’s Alice Pamio led all scorers with 28.
CBL Costa Volpino and Erreci Busto Arsizio both moved to nine points, maintaining their maximum-points starts.
Costa Volpino swept Messina 3-0, producing a remarkable recovery in the third set: trailing 23-18, they fought back to take it 30-28 and close out the match.
Busto recovered from losing the opener to beat Roma 3-1, with Šiftar scoring 24 points and Edinara adding 19.
Elsewhere, Perugia won in straight sets at Altino, while Pia Korhonen’s 29 points powered Fasano to a 3-1 victory at Imola.
Marsala secured their first win of the season by beating Altamura in five sets, and Offanengo also needed a decider to overcome Melendugno.
Club news: Piacenza launch youth scholarship ahead of season opener
Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza presented their first team, academy and sitting volleyball programme as the club prepared for an eighth consecutive SuperLega season.
The event also saw the launch of the Borsa di Crescita, a development scholarship recognising academy players’ sporting achievements, academic performance and conduct.
Dante Boninfante’s side begin their league campaign away to Padova on Sunday and will also compete in the CEV Cup this season.
Knee injury rules Nella out for the season
In women’s Serie A3, Modena Volley have confirmed that outside hitter Anja Nella has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
Nella will undergo reconstructive surgery followed by rehabilitation. The club said the expected recovery period means she will not return to action this season.
