According to claims in the Italian media Atalanta are looking to finally complete a deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Marten de Roon.
The Netherlands international has been linked with a move back to his former club in recent weeks.
TMW have today reported, originally from L’Eco di Bergamo, that talks continue to be difficult, but a deal is becoming ‘more and more possible’ between Atalanta and Middlesbrough. The Championship side have been holding out for €17m for De Roon, and the Serie A club have so far refused to meet Middlesbrough’s demands.
However, Atalanta are prepared to come to the table with an offer of €15m for the Dutchman. The Italian club would pay €11m up front, with the remainder being paid to Middlesbrough in bonuses.
With Atalanta in Europe next De Roon is said to be keen to return to the club after just one season in England, and talks are expected to continue. Middlesbrough will want to recoup what they paid for the player last summer, and aren’t under pressure to sell him on the cheap.
There seems to be too much optimism in Italy than would match reality. If Middlesbrough want €17m (with it sometimes being reported as €20m) then €11m as a base price doesn’t sound like much progress. Atalanta had a great season in 2016/2017, but it’s got to be considered very unlikely they’ll match that next time around.
