Lecce, the right path with Nikola Krstovic and Francesco Camarda

Nikola Krstovic and Francesco Camarda, Lecce's goal-scoring twins, dominated the Bressanone training camp. In the 2-1 friendly victory against Spezia, both Giallorossi strikers found the back of the net. Krstovic converted a penalty in the first half, while Camarda was ready to tap in for the winning goal in the second half. Two strikers with similar goalscoring abilities, but profoundly different in many ways. Above all, the situation surrounding their future in Salento is a key focus. For Camarda, next season with the Salento club will be a crucial turning point in his career. The seventeen-year-old striker, who arrived on loan from Milan with an option to buy and a counter-buy, intends to make the most of all the opportunities he will have to show off and establish himself among the big boys, after his rapid rise in youth football and the astonishing numbers that have made him one of the most interesting young prospects in Italian and European football.

The young Camarda spoke of "hunger" in his presentation press conference, a hunger for goals and improvement that is clearly evident in the work he's doing in training camp. Never a dull play, always highly focused, in his first two friendly matches he's shown he has the potential to perform well and carve out a significant role for himself in this Lecce side. Without too much pressure, without too much hassle. After all, the Giallorossi are a team that specializes in nurturing talents like him.

Then there's Krstovic, who also scored against Spezia. It goes without saying that the Montenegrin is the real star in Lecce's talent pool. His last season, with 11 goals in Serie A, clearly didn't go unnoticed by insiders. Several teams from Italy's top flight and major European leagues have set their sights on him, inquiring about him. Lecce's policy, however, is quite clear. The Giallorossi don't want to stifle the legitimate aspirations of their current players, but outgoing deals can only be concluded with offers deemed commensurate with their demands. As for Krstovic, Lecce are asking for a fee of around €30 million, based on a number of factors, including the striker's performances over the last two seasons, his age, and his contract with the Salento club, which is still far from expiring. Technical director Pantaleo Corvino and sporting director Stefano Trinchera are well aware that a complex August lies ahead, during which they will have to contend with the onslaught of several clubs who could make a move to snatch the number nine from Eusebio Di Francesco's court.

Lecce has no intention of being caught off guard and wants to react as best as possible to the potential transfer market challenges. His departure late in August would leave the club reeling as they search for a replacement of equal caliber. One thing is certain: Krstovic is not for sale: the Montenegrin will leave Salento only if an offer arrives from a club that satisfies both the player and his club. At the moment, no moves have been made in this regard. The Giallorossi number nine is currently working with the team at their training camp in Bressanone, aware that his future is clearly still unwritten. The transfer market, after all, can be endless and situations are extremely changeable, so the possibility of Krstovic staying with the Giallorossi cannot be ruled out. A prospect that wouldn't displease Lecce and would excite all the fans of the Salento team, who, with the Montenegrin and the young Camarda on the launch pad, dream of an explosive attack ahead of next season.