Nicolo Zaniolo nearing move to Atalanta | OneFootball

Italian attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo is on the verge of returning to Serie A, by completing a summer move to Atalanta.

The former Roma, Galatasaray and Aston Villa play-maker, is understood to be keen on a move to Bergamo to join the Europa League champions, with Gianluca Di Marzio stating that negotiations are nearing completion.

The transfer expert writes that Atalanta and Galatasaray have agreed on an initial loan-deal, with an obligation to make the move permanent at the end of next season.

The two parties are currently negotiating how much that obligation will cost and when it would be activated.

Di Marzio claims that the final total would be around €17M, with the obligation to buy being triggered if the player completes 70-80 per cent of appearances next term.

Zaniolo spent last season on-loan at Aston Villa, but failed to impress before returning to his parent club at the end of the campaign.

The 25-year-old’s current deal in Turkey runs until 2027. Currently sidelined with a metatarsal injury, the player will hope that a move to Bergamo to join up with Gian Piero Gasperini, will kick-start a career that has stalled in the past few seasons.

Steve Mitchell | GIFN