Pessina Milan Atalanta
BERGAMO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 10: Matteo Pessina of Atalanta celebrates after scoring their side's third goal during the Coppa Italia match between Atalanta BC and SSC Napoli at Gewiss Stadium on February 10, 2021 in Bergamo, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Milan Keeping Close Eye on Talks Between Atalanta and Matteo Pessina

Matteo Pessina and Atalanta are negotiating a new contract as his current deal expires in June of 2022. The midfielder is making €400k per year and the club has offered to more than double his salary. However, the interest coming from Milan has slowed down the talks and the player is taking their courtship into serious consideration, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Pessina spent time in the Rossoneri youth squads early in his career. He was acquired by the Goddess in 2017 as part of the Andrea Conti package, with Milan cashing in the 50 percent of a future sale, so the fee would be sliced in half if they bought him. The Bergamaschi do not want to part ways with a player that has been crucial this year, but he would force their hands if he agree to an extension. The Italian international has shouldered a meaningful role since the departure of Alejandro Gomez, providing a great deal of balance to the formation.

The Devil has been recently been connected to another Nerazzurro, Josip Ilicic, who has butted heads with coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Corriere della Sera reports that Atalanta are shopping the player around in order to find a taker as his time in Bergamo is coming to an end. Milan are potentially interested, but only if he transferred for a very small fee, around €5M, since he is 33. Their pursuit is also tied to the future of Hakan Calhanoglu, as the talks to prolong his expiring contract have stalled recently.