Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said Josip Ilicic wanted to leave the Gewiss Stadium but ‘then all of a sudden he had no requests’.
The Slovenia international seemed set for move to Milan this summer but played in the friendly against Alessandria and Gasperini believes the striker will stay in Bergamo.
But the Orobici coach stressed he will not stand in the 33-year-old’s way if he gets an opportunity to move this month.
“He wanted to leave, then he showed up very well at the retreat and trained well,” Gasperini said at a press conference. “We made ourselves available, it seemed he could go away from one day to the next, he was preserved.
“Then, all of a sudden, he had no chance, no market requests or anything else and he played against Alessandria.
“I didn’t speak to anyone, but me and him spoke to each other. If he’s here, he remains an Atalanta player. If he is well, I will let him play, otherwise others will play.
“I only make technical choices. I have always had a good relationship with Ilicic, then in some games I didn’t play him.
“I train him like any other player and I will be available to make him look good in the event of a sale.”