Atalanta forward Ruslan Malinovskyi had been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, but it’s reported he is on the verge of a transfer to Olympique Marseille for €12m plus bonuses.
The Ukraine international has dropped down the pecking order in recent months after his rapport with coach Gian Piero Gasperini deteriorated.
There was interest from several Premier League clubs, above all Antonio Conte’s Spurs, but Sky Sport Italia transfer experts Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano, as well as RMC Sport in France, all report that Olympique Marseille are very close to finalising a deal.
It will cost circa €12m plus add-ons and Malinovskyi has agreed a long-term contract with the Ligue 1 side.
The 29-year-old was only under contract with Atalanta until June 2023 and they owe 10 per cent of the sell-on fee to his previous club KRC Genk.
He was purchased in the summer of 2019 for €13.6m, going on to make 143 competitive appearances for Atalanta, in which he contributed 30 goals and 28 assists.