Venezia have stepped up their pursuit of Takehiro Tomiyasu, offering the free agent defender a long-term contract as they look to reinforce their backline ahead of the new season.

Lagoon Club Moves to Beat Rivals

Talks are reportedly progressing over a three-year deal, though the versatile Japan international hasn’t made his decision yet. Consequently, Venezia find themselves in a race against time, and against competition.

Sassuolo have also shown genuine interest, according to recent reports. Still, Venezia’s need feels more urgent. Centre-back Marin Sverko now requires surgery that could sideline him for months, leaving a gap Tomiyasu could fill immediately.

Tomiyasu’s résumé speaks for itself. He’s played across the back line at Bologna and Arsenal, comfortable at right-back, left-back or centre-back. That flexibility matters enormously for a newly-promoted side navigating a demanding top-flight campaign.

His career hasn’t been without setbacks, though. A serious knee injury kept him out for over a year, and his brief stint at Ajax ended after just five months. Even so, he impressed at the World Cup with Japan, proving his quality remains intact.

For Venezia, offering security through a multi-year contract makes sense. Free agents with his pedigree rarely stay unattached for long, and locking in fresh legs at the back could steady a squad building depth for Serie A survival.

Ultimately, the decision rests with Tomiyasu. A return to a familiar league, paired with regular football, could appeal after a turbulent period abroad. Fans should expect an update soon.

For more transfer stories like this, visit the KCPredict blog. Broader coverage of Serie A’s summer business can also be found via Reuters.