We finally have some numbers in the Mario Pasalic to Italy deal, and they came from Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Nicolo Schira on Monday night.
For the past few weeks, the Croatian midfielder has been very close to leaving Chelsea on loan with a view to buy, and Fiorentina appeared to be the favourites.
The 23-year-old had even given his word to the Serie A side that he’d sign for them, but everything was put on hold during the Blues’ managerial crisis.
Now that’s all been sorted, arrivals and exits can finally take place, but Atalanta have ruined Fiorentina’s party by offering Chelsea a better deal.
According to Schira, Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia have accepted the offer of a loan with a view to buy at €15m, and are now refusing to let Pasalic go to Fiorentina.
As for the midfielder’s word, as we explained on Monday, it might have been a noble gesture, but it means very little if your club gets involved, and the Gazzetta journalist explains the Croatia international has now agreed to join Atalanta after a phone call with their manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
We’ll have to wait and see what comes from this, but nothing is done in football until the contract in signed.
As many footballers state, very accurately, anything can happen.
