The Italian club are reportedly close to bringing the Villa star back to his homeland.
Serie A side Atalanta are in advanced talks with Aston Villa over a move for goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, according to Gianluca di Marzio.
Gollini joined Villa in the summer from relegated Italian side Hellas Verona and initially enjoyed a run as the club’s undisputed number one.
However, despite obvious talent and shot-stopping ability, areas of the 21-year-old’s game were called into question by some after a run of indifferent form.
He was then dropped in favour of the more experienced Mark Bunn after the defeat at Norwich City in the middle of last month, and the January loan arrival of Sam Johnstone has presented another obstacle to regaining his spot.
Talk over the last week or so has been that Steve Bruce would be willing to allow the young stopper to leave Villa Park this month.
Several Italian clubs have been linked with Gollini’s signature, but now, according to a report from Gianluca di Marzio, Atalanta are thought to be in advanced talks over a move.
The transfer, according to the report, would be a loan deal until the end of the season and would see Gollini replace Fiorentina-bound Marco Sportiello as Atalanta’s number one.
The report seems to suggest that Atalanta would also have an option to make the move permanent for an undisclosed fee at the end of the season.
Whether or not that happens at the end of the season, Gollini’s time at Villa – for now, at least – appears to be up.
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