The Atalanta fans begged Ruslan Malinovskyi to ‘stay’ during what could be his farewell appearance for the Serie A outfit ahead of a potential £20 million move to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, as reported by Football Italia.
Talk about signing off in style.
It won’t go down as Malinovskyi’s finest strike in Atalanta colours – this is a player who could put together his very own Goal of the Season competition after all, such is his penchant for long-range thunderbolts – but the Ukrainian bid farewell to the La Dea supporters in the most fitting of ways on Sunday afternoon, sweeping a trademark left-footed shot past Mike Maignan during a 1-1 draw with AC Milan, albeit with the help of a timely deflection.
The 29-year-old’s future appears to lie away from Bergamo.
According to Tutto Atalanta, Malinovskyi has set his sights on joining former team-mate Cristian Romero in North London. That is despite interest from Nottingham Forest and French giants Marseille.
Spurs could even send the out-of-favour Sergio Reguilon to Italy as part of the deal.
Will Tottenham sign Ruslan Malinovskyi from Atalanta
”(Malinovskyi) has been extraordinary for us,” Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini tells The Standard after his long-serving midfielder scored his 30th goal for the club against Milan, before suggesting that the pursuit of a replacement is very much underway.
“He has adapted very well, but it’s right that the club looks for players with characteristics more suitable for the game.”
The Atalanta bosses might be keen to move on from Malinovskyi; £20 million for player who turns 30 next year is excellent business from a financial perspective. But it seems that the Atalanta fans are not quite so enamoured about his prospective departure.
Chants of ‘Stay in Bergamo’ serenaded Malinovskyi as he was subbed off late on against Milan; Departing to a standing ovation.
Clearly, the sale of Malinovskyi is not a popular decision among those on the terraces of the Gewiss Stadium. But it’s not the supporters who make such calls…
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