Atalanta prepared to exercise €25m purchase option on Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou | OneFootball

Sport Bild reports that Ivorian international Odilon Kossounou’s Bundesliga days may be over. The Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender – an important pillar of Leverkusen’s double league and cup win last year – was loaned out to Atalanta Bergamo at the beginning of the current campaign. The German champs secured a €5m loan fee as part of the deal. A purchase option of €25m looks to be triggered soon.

The Serie A outfit is reportedly pleased with the 24-year-old’s performance despite the fact that an adductor injury has limited him to just 17 appearances across all competitions. Moreover, per the report, the central defender/right back feels comfortable both personally and professionally in northern Italy. Kossounou will depart the Bundesliga having made 73 top flight appearances.

German footballing enthusiasts will certainly miss Kossounou, who regularly delighted with excellent league performances over the course of his three seasons in Germany. Bundesliga lovers with African football interests will also never forget his three starts in Cote d’Ivoire’s winning AFCON campaign early in 2024.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen never really managed to compensate for Kossounou’s absence this year. Kossounou’s fellow African international Edmond Tapsoba struggled when flipped to Kossonou’s right slant and former Leipzig man Nordi Mukiele failed to fill the Ivorian’s boots.

Unfortunately for Leverkusen, winter Serie A loan signing Mario Hermoso’s ability to contribute was recently nixed by season-ending surgery. Given all of these developments, it could be the case that Germany’s red company team may not accept Atalanta’s offer.

GGFN | Peter Weis