Raspadori: Atletico move, Atalanta watch, Napoli want €35m | OneFootball

Giacomo Raspadori has found himself at the center of a transfer intrigue involving Italy and Spain. After a positive season with Napoli—6 goals and 2 assists, some of them decisive in the title race—the 2000-born striker is once again a hot name on the notebooks of several clubs. The latest to step forward is Atletico Madrid, which—according to Nicolò Schira—has initiated a first exploratory inquiry. Not yet an offer, but a concrete interest from the Colchoneros.

Raspadori, Atletico knocks and Atalanta watches: Napoli sets the price at 35 million

It’s not just Spain. There are also those in Serie A closely following the evolution of the situation. Atalanta, in fact, is keeping a close eye, especially in view of the possible departure of Ademola Lookman, who has attracted the attention of Inter. Should the Nigerian leave, Raspadori would represent an appealing option for new coach Ivan Juric, who in Bergamo could offer him the space and centrality he never truly found in Naples. However, the Neapolitan club has no intention of selling cheaply. As reported by Tuttosport, De Laurentiis had already rejected a €25 million offer from the Premier League in January, a sign that the player’s valuation remains high. The set price? No less than €35 million. More than just a starting point for negotiations, it’s a real barrier, meant to discourage timid attempts or lowball offers. Also because Napoli is in no rush to sell: Raspadori, despite tactical placement difficulties, is still considered a useful asset for the squad.

The real issue is the player’s tactical identity. He’s not a pure center-forward, not a classic winger, nor a mezzala. Under Spalletti, he was reinvented as a false nine, while with Garcia and Mazzarri he struggled to find space. Now, with Antonio Conte, a new chapter begins: the coach is assessing him during preseason, possibly envisioning him in a “Lautaro-like” role, as a technical second striker behind a physical forward, one between Lucca and Lukaku. The risk, however, is that Raspadori could once again find himself on the fringes, especially after the arrival of new signings. And it is precisely from here that his entourage’s reflections arise: if the new technical project does not guarantee continuity or centrality, then it might be worth listening to the siren calls of those ready to build a tailor-made role for him.

In Spain, Diego Simeone already has in mind for him a role as a dynamic, technical second striker, supporting a physical center-forward. A context in which the qualities of number 81 could be fully showcased. In Bergamo, on the other hand, Juric imagines him as a link between midfield and attack, making use of his tactical intelligence, timing of runs, and passing ability. Napoli is waiting, but with clear ideas: yes to a sale, but only on favorable terms. Meanwhile, Raspadori’s fate hangs in the balance during the summer training camp. Between internal evaluations, foreign temptations, and his ever-present desire to be a protagonist.

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.