Crucial weeks in Aston Villa €3m transfer deal – “time to decide”

 

Atalanta are set to make a decision in the coming weeks on redeeming Etrit Berisha from Lazio or putting their faith in Aston Villa loanee Pierluigi Gollini. The youngster joined the Serie A side from Aston Villa in January, but has hardly figured since returning to Italy.

Bergamo Post have reported the time has come for Atalanta to decide who their No.1 will be next season. Berisha was the club’s first choice in the second half of last season, but Atalanta are unsure about making the deal permanent for €7m.

The Italian side have never paid so much for a goalkeeper and despite the Albanian’s impressive form last season they are having doubts.

Atalanta’s other option is to install Gollini as the club’s goalkeeper which Bergamo Post say could result in Atalanta signing the 22-year-old on a permanent deal next summer.

This would be the cheaper option for Atalanta given their budget for the transfer window as the youngster would cost €3m when the clause is used.

Gollini only joined Aston Villa in the summer window, and was Roberto Di Matteo’s goalkeeper for the start of the season. However, with Steve Bruce replacing Di Matteo at Aston Villa, Gollini lost his place in the team to Sam Johnstone.