Sportitalia report Juventus and Atalanta had a positive meeting for Teun Koopmeiners, so the deal will be done closer to €60m than €55m including add-ons, opening the door for Matt O’Riley of Celtic.
Gian Piero Gasperini made abundantly clear that the club was furious at the behaviour of the Bianconeri and the player, who was refusing to participate in training because he wanted to push through a transfer to Turin.
While they were undoubtedly angry, there was also very little they could do about the situation other than negotiate an acceptable deal.
Koopmeiners closer to Juventus dream
According to Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, the clubs met this evening and went a long way to smoothing things over.
Talks can now progress in earnest and Juve were told they must raise their offer beyond €50m plus €5m in add-ons, getting it closer to the €60m asking price including bonuses.
Once that is completed, then Atalanta can reinvest circa €28m in signing Denmark international O’Riley from Celtic.
They’ve had two bids for the 23-year-old turned down so far, facing competition from Brighton and Hove Albion.