One of the most interesting transfer topics in Italy is gaining momentum: Fabio Balaso – the captain and libero of Cucine Lube Civitanova, could be the next big name to move to Sir Safety Perugia as early as next summer. This was also written by the famous volleyball specialist Jakub Balcerzak on X.
The information comes from several different sources, and they all have one thing in common: Perugia genuinely wants Balaso – and not just as an “option”, but as a real target.
What is known so far: three sources, one direction
The topic surfaced publicly during a Champions League match when Sky commentators stated that Balaso might join Perugia next summer.
Shortly after, Il Resto del Carlino – a media outlet traditionally close to Lube – confirmed that the libero has one more year on his contract, but could realistically leave.
The most significant detail comes from La Gazzetta dello Sport, according to which:
Balaso is “contracted” with Perugia for the 2027/2028 season
but Perugia's president Gino Sirci insists on signing him now
and is ready to pay compensation to terminate the final year of his contract at Lube
In other words: the transfer is not a fantasy, but a scenario with a concrete financial framework.
Why is Perugia so keen on Balaso?
Perugia has a team built to win everything, but with liberos, there's always a particular logic:
when you have a chance to sign the best Italian libero on the market – you simply do it.
Balaso is a profile that provides:
stability in reception under pressure
a huge volume of saved balls in defense
leadership and a “quiet” presence that changes the entire team balance
Italian passport (an important factor for squad structure)
And at Perugia, where details decide titles, a libero of Balaso's caliber is the difference between a “very strong team” and a “final-winning machine”.
Where is the problem? Lube
According to the information, Perugia is ready to pay, and Balaso is willing to accept the project.
But the real barrier is Lube.
The reason is obvious:
Balaso is the captain
he is the face of the club
and Lube is not a team that "sells easily", especially when it comes to a symbol of the locker room
Even more importantly: even if this season is weaker than the previous one (as commented), Balaso remains an elite libero, and such players are difficult to replace.
Possible successor: D'Amico?
A curious detail in the whole story is the name of Francesco D'Amico, who is mentioned as a potential replacement for Balaso.
This suggests two things:
Lube is already thinking "what if"
The topic is serious enough for options to be sought, rather than just being publicly denied.
What's next: a real transfer or a war of nerves?
The situation looks like a classic Italian transfer chess game:
Perugia is pushing – with money and influence
Lube is resisting – because they are losing a captain and identity
Balaso is between two worlds – security and status in Civitanova versus new ambition and a "super project" in Perugia.
There is a feeling that this time the transfer is more real than the usual rumors, because:
a specific timeframe is being discussed (this summer)
a specific mechanism is being discussed (contract buyout)
There is talk of a genuine desire on the part of the player
The conclusion: Lube might lose Balaso, but only if the captain insists.
If Perugia pays the required sum, and Balaso expresses a firm desire to leave, Lube will be faced with an unpleasant choice:
to forcibly keep the captain for another year or to accept the deal and start a new cycle.
One thing is clear – if this transfer happens, it will be one of the most high-profile moves in the SuperLega, because it's not just a change of libero, but a blow to Lube's heart.
And Perugia, it seems, is ready to deliver it.
