Another major Lidl move in the making? Ganna linked for 2027 despite Ineos contract

Filippo Ganna could leave Netcompany-Ineos at the end of this season and join Lidl-Trek for 2027, according to a report from Ciro Scognamiglio ofLa Gazzetta dello Sport. 

"There are talks about the possibility that Filippo Ganna could join Lidl-Trek already in 2027,” Scognamiglio reported on Saturday. “This is a scenario at this stage, not a done deal. Talks in progress.”

The possibility of a transfer away from Netcompany-Ineos would mark an early exit for the 30-year-Italian with his current contract set to run through the end of the 2027 season

Ganna has spent eight seasons with the British team to date, having joined in 2019 from UAE Team Emirates. During that time, the Italian has amassed 41 individual victories on the road, including two time trial world titles and ten Grand Tour stage wins. He has also become the Hour Record holder and won multiple world titles on the track.

Ganna also enjoyed another landmark victory this season, claiming his first Flemish Classic when he caught and passed Wout van Aert in the closing metres at Dwars door Vlaanderen in April. 

Most recently, he finished second in the individual time trial at the Worlds behind Remco Evenepoel, before being part of the winning Italian team in the mixed relay event.

Lidl-Trek are undergoing a significant reshaping of their squad ahead of 2027,  confirming the arrivals of Igor Arrieta,Felix Gall, Gregor Mühlberger, Jordan Jegat, Jordi Meeus and Georg Zimmermann, while recently crowned under-23 European champion Héctor Álvarez will step up from the development squad.

A number of riders have been confirmed to leave the team, or are heavily reported to do so. Andrea Bagioli and Tim Torn Teutenberg will join XDS Astana and Soudal Safety Jogger, respectively, while Bauke Mollema and Max Walscheid will retire. 

Additionally, Tao Geoghegan Hart is expected to depart with EF Education-EasyPost, a reported potential destination, and Giulio Ciccone has been linked with a move to Pinarello-Q36.5 and Tudor despite his deal running through 2029.

The changes have also extended beyond the riders, with the most recent being that Steven De Jongh will leave at the end of 2026, bringing to an end a ten-year spell with the team.

As it stands, Lidl-Trek currently have the maximum number of 30 riders in their provisional squad for 2027, meaning more transfer puzzles would need to move into place to accommodate a potential move for Ganna.