Pioli feels that another year at Bologna could be beneficial for the in-demand attacking midfielder.

The Uruguay international has been linked with several clubs but, as of yet, the club have yet to receive any formal offers for the highly-rated 21-year-old.

And Pioli believes that interested parties might continue to be put off by Bologna's 20 million euros asking price, allowing the player to develop fully before he moves on to pastures new.

"I'd like to set off again with him," the 46-year-old coach told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He is a talent that can still grow so much more.

"Like the way (Alessandro) Diamanti is growing despite his more advanced years: 'Alino' is like a fine wine: he improves with age."

Pioli guided Bologna to a surprise ninth-place finish last season, and he wants to build on their previous achievements by adding a couple of players to his squad ahead of the new campaign.

"We need a striker and a wide attacker," he said. "Others will leave but I am convinced that we will have a competitive team.

"Safety or something more than that? Our goal will be determined during the season.

"We are not starting from 51 points unfortunately and I will not promise that we will surpass that quota this season but we will try to be more proactive in our ideas and in our play.

"The base of the team is solid: we have eight of the 11 starters from last season."

Pioli, who was sacked by Palermo last August, took charge of Bologna in October, succeeding Pierpaolo Bisoli.