Atalanta Seal Shock €22m Giacomo Raspadori Deal After Roma Snub

Atalanta have stolen in to seal a surprise deal for Atletico Madrid striker Giacomo Raspadori.

Giacomo Raspadori Set For Atalanta Despite Roma Interest

Raspadori was in Roma talks for several weeks, but, in a surprise twist, has now reached an agreement to join Raffaele Palladino’s side. The transfer is permanent and worth €22million, according to various reports.

Napoli were also circling for the frontman’s signature, despite him hesitating over his next destination.

That allowed Atalanta to swoop in and thrash out the details under the radar, with Raspadori set to join imminently.

Roma are said to have given the 25-year-old an ultimatum over the proposed loan-to-buy. They then turned their attention instead to Aston Villa’s Donyell Malen and Marseille youngster Robinio Vaz.

Vaz will complete his switch shortly, while negotiations are accelerating for Malen.

However, Raspadori appeared to be the Giallorossi’s first-choice target for several weeks. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini had also pushed for the signing after a slow start to the January transfer window.

But complications remained during talks, including the club’s desire to tie a permanent clause to the achievement of certain objectives. Atalanta, on the other hand, were able to proceed smoothly to the finish line.

According to Calciomercato, Raspadori will be played on the left side of the attack, which could result in Ademola Lookman being sold. Fenerbahce are said to be closing in on a deal this month.

Overall, Raspadori’s time at Atletico is set to come to an end after just six months. He made just 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and registering three assists.

How Atalanta Gazumped Roma

It is understood that Atalanta’s overall financial package proved the difference. Atletico were inclined to accept the €22m bid, plus €1m in bonuses, rather than hold out for more protracted negotiations with Roma.

Raspadori is now preparing to jet back to Italy, having been left out of Atletico’s squad for their Copa del Rey tie against Deportivo on Tuesday night. A medical could even take place over the coming days.

He is, of course, familiar with Serie A, having scored 31 goals in his previous 164 appearances in the competition.

Lazio are believed to have mounted a push in recent weeks but were turned down. This resulted in club president Claudio Lotito making an apparent dig at Raspadori, in which he declared he was ‘not Maradona’.