‘Wasn’t the right time’: Agent explains why £20m man didn’t want Leeds move

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Leeds United were keen on Ruslan Malinovskyi but it ‘wasn’t the right time’ for the Ukraine international to consider a move away from Atalanta, agent Serhiy Serebrennikov told Radio Marte, in quotes translated by Momtenti di Calcio.

The former Genk ace might not be one of the first names on Gian Piero Gasperini’s team-sheet, but who on earth would turn their back on the most exciting footballing side in Europe right now?

Atalanta are already the neutrals’ darlings in and outside of Italy but they can taste something a little more tangible in Bergamo – a first ever Serie A title, perhaps.

La Dea finished third in the Scudetto standings in 2019/20, scored a league high 98 goals and, if it wasn’t for Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting’s unlikely heroics, would have been celebrating a semi-final berth in their debut Champions League campaign too.

So even when Marcelo Bielsa came calling in September, the £20 million-rated Malinovskyi proved impossible to shift (Telegraph).

“To be honest, Napoli were keen on him but that never led to an actual negotiation with Atalanta, Serhiy Serebrennikov explains.

“Top European clubs after him? Of course he was the object of some inquiries, also thanks to how fine Atalanta did. Anyway, it wasn’t the right time for a change.

“We are aware Ruslan isn’t a full-fledged regular in Gasperini’s eyes, right now, but we know the coach trusts him to be an important player for the team.”

Leeds were also linked with Erick Pulgar and famously saw a deal for Bayern Munich’s Michael Cuisance collapse, with the West Yorkshire giants failing to land the dynamic, box-to-box midfielder Bielsa wanted.

Malinovskyi, meanwhile, has started just one Serie A game this season after tallying a mere 12 in 2019/20.