Udinese holds clause to sign Craiova goalkeeper Răzvan Sava amid reduced role

Universitatea Craiova has established its first-choice lineup after 25 matches in the season for both regular league fixtures and European cup competitions. Steven Nsimba and Răzvan Sava have been excluded from the rotation despite previously receiving playing time.

Laurențiu Popescu has started every match as goalkeeper since the beginning of the campaign. Simon Elisor serves as the second striker option and is the top scorer in internal competition metrics.

Reports suggest that Udinese holds a clause to sign Răzvan Sava during the winter or summer transfer windows. This contractual detail has fueled speculation regarding a potential departure from Craiova.

Sava sat on the bench for eight matches across all competitions. His opportunities to play in the championship are now considered extremely limited.

The goalkeeper is expected to feature primarily in Cupa României matches. There is a high probability he will start in the upcoming fixture against FC Voluntari.

Sources indicate that Pavlo Isenko is recovering from serious knee issues. He is projected to become the second goalkeeper option upon his return to the squad.

Sava made his debut for Craiova in the Supercupa României, which the club won on penalties. He started the first six stages of the championship before Popescu assumed the starting role.

His most recent appearance was in a Cupa României match against Bacău.

Sava transferred from CFR Cluj to Udinese in August 2024 for a fee of 2,537,500 euro. He later moved from Udinese to Universitatea Craiova in June 2026.

Financial disputes related to the initial transfer remain active. ElevenElite SRL has demanded 253,750 euro from CFR Cluj regarding the deal.

CFR Cluj received 1,928,500 euro from Internationales Bankhaus Bodensee AG through factoring on 17 September 2024. The club entered insolvency proceedings in August 2026.

RTZ & Partners rejected a claim from ElevenElite for 50,750 euro due to the insolvency procedures. Additionally, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered CFR Cluj to pay Cătălin Sărmășan 212,050 euro in relation to Sava's transfer.