Atalanta have beaten La Viola to the signing of Chelsea outcast Davide Zappacosta, who will move to the Bergamo club before the end of the transfer window. Fiorentina proposed a loan move for the 29-year-old right back, but in the end Atalanta’s permanent deal was hard for Chelsea to turn down.
The Italian full back’s move to Atalanta will deal a huge blow to Milan, as the Rossoneri wanted to part ways with their player Andrea Conti and Atalanta were frontrunners for his signature.
Milan’s Conti was linked heavily until recently via reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, with a return to the club from where he emerged as a talented youngster during the 2013/14 season.
On the other hand, Atalanta seem to have been convinced by Zappacosta’s current skills and abilities to be in line with the club’s playing style and philosophy. He has a €8m valuation, according to transfermarkt, and the final details of his transfer is likely to be confirmed soon.
#Zappacosta, l’@Atalanta_BC ha deciso di acquistarlo a titolo definitivo, un blitz per superare la @acffiorentina che l’avrebbe preso solo in prestito @SkySport #calciomercato
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 22, 2021
A four-year-deal to last until June 2025 is on the books.
He spent the last season on loan at Genoa due to Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel excluding the Italian from his plans for the 2021/22 season.