In August 2008, Genoa purchased half of the registration rights of Ranocchia for €1.55 million and sent him on loan to Bari, rejoining Arezzo coach Conte, where he won the Serie B Championship, obtaining promotion to Serie A the following season, and forming a promising defensive partnership with fellow emerging Italian centre-back Leonardo Bonucci. On 26 June 2009 Genoa signed him outright for another €2.45 million from Arezzo; Genoa paid €4 million in total for him within a year.