Roma offer Gasperini three-year, €5m per season deal amid Atalanta exit talks | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini appears to be on the verge of leaving Atalanta after holding positive talks with Roma over a potential move to the Stadio Olimpico.

After nine seasons in Bergamo, the 66-year-old informed Atalanta’s hierarchy on Tuesday that he no longer felt motivated to continue and would not be signing a new contract.

He met with co-owners Antonio Percassi and Stephen Pagliuca earlier in the day and expressed his desire to pursue a new challenge, effectively closing the door on a tenth year with the club.

While Atalanta had offered him a new deal running until June 2027, Gasperini felt he had taken them as far as he could, having led them to Champions League qualification for the fifth time in seven years.

Sources close to the situation suggest Gasperini has opened the door to Roma, with Claudio Ranieri playing a key role in facilitating talks between the parties.

Ranieri, who returned in November to guide Roma from relegation worries to a fifth-place finish and Europa League qualification, is stepping aside at the end of the season.

Speaking after receiving the Premio Simpatia award in Rome on Tuesday, the veteran tactician urged supporters to have faith in the club’s decision over the next coach.

“With me at the helm, there would be no future, so you may as well let the new boss start earlier and give him the chance to get to know the whole Roma atmosphere and its fans,” he said.

Ranieri refused to confirm Gasperini’s name but notably did not deny that the Atalanta boss is the leading candidate.

Reports from Italy suggest Gasperini has responded positively to Roma’s three-year contract offer, reportedly worth €5 million per season plus bonuses, and is keen to discuss the club’s ambitions.

Gasperini is interested not just in the financial terms, but in the long-term sporting project and the club’s willingness to invest within the constraints of their budget.

With Como boss Cesc Fabregas now unlikely to be released from his contract, Roma’s focus has shifted fully to Gasperini, who has been their preferred option from the outset.

An official announcement regarding his Atalanta exit could come as early as Wednesday, with Roma aiming to finalise the agreement before the end of the week.