Gian Piero Gasperini confirms Josip Ilicic ‘asked to leave Atalanta’ amid Milan rumours, while Cristian Romero will be sold if the right offer arrives.
La Dea beat Pordenone 2-1 in a pre-season friendly this afternoon and their coach spoke at a press conference afterwards.
Naturally, most of the questions revolved around the very active transfer market, especially as new buys Matteo Lovato and Giuseppe Pezzella made their debuts.
“We’ll see on Ilicic,” noted Gasperini. “At the end of last season, he manifested the desire to try new experiences. He did well in training, he never complained, so he’s preparing to find a club that can help him play regularly.
“I respect his request to leave, there’s still a month left in the transfer window. That is the intention, he is preparing well, but there aren’t any particular movements right now.”
Ilicic has been heavily linked with Milan, who could use an outstanding debt in the Matteo Pessina transfer to lower the fee.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly raised their offer for Romero to €50m plus €5m in bonuses, very close to the €60m asking price.
Barcelona are also tracking the situation, but do not have the finances to match that proposal right now.
“I haven’t actually seen Romero yet, as he’ll be back on Monday,” added Gasperini.
“We’ll see what his position is, then of course there is a negotiation in progress between the two clubs. We’ll see what the evaluations will be if he does leave.”
It has been said that Atalanta are holding off until they can get Romero’s replacement, for example Juventus defender Merih Demiral or Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu.
However, Gasperini warns that might not necessarily be the case.
“If it’s Romero who replaces Romero, then we’re fine as we are.”