Block from Gasperini
Alexei Miranchuk’s transfer from Atalanta to Turin is one of the main supporting sagas of Serie A this summer. This, of course, is not the return of Romelu Lukaku to Inter and the signing of Roma, then a stylish presentation of Paulo Dybala, but the story is still quite remarkable.
The Russian midfielder managed to establish himself as a master of scoring chances and transformation in two seasons with Bergamasks.
Moreover, he did not spend more than half the time on the field on average in those rare matches he played in every season.
Even last summer, it seemed that Miranchuk was not particularly needed by his team and could leave, but Gasperini refused to leave the player. As a result, the Russians’ playing time increased slightly – from an average of 27 minutes per game to 40, but at the same time, in the first part of the season, he mostly sat on the bench.
It turns out that outside of this season, the “goddess”, called Atalanta in Italy, will not retain the player at all costs, especially if there are interesting offers.
Well, it shouldn’t have depended on them, because Miranchuk’s transfer could mean an increase in a qualified veteran adapted to the specific local football and hungry for the game for average-level teams in Serie A.
The most genuine interest was shown by Torino, who finished only 17th last season and nearly made it to Serie B (just four points from the relegation zone starting 18th).
As a result, Turin almost shook hands with Atalanta in a season lease with the right to buy the Russians, but at the last moment the medical examination was postponed for Nar.
“We are negotiating with Torino. However, during a long conversation the coach asked us to keep Miranchuk. The operation is currently suspended. Gasperini asked us to keep the player,” said Luca Percassi, CEO of Atalanta.
“Gamers are his slaves”
“What Gasperini did is a disgrace. His players are slaves. It’s just a shame! He doesn’t cast Miranchuk. I took the guy out, I got him out! And he didn’t let him in Turin. I’m very sorry. Olga Smorodskaya, former head of Lokomotiv, in an interview with Sport Express He commented on Atalanta’s decision.
“People are afraid. Gasperini does not want to strengthen his opponents like Torino: “Let’s sit down,” said Andrey Kanchelskis, the former midfielder of Italian Fiorentina, to the “Championship”. – I think the problem will be solved for Miranchuk, he will go to Turin and train for the match. Atalanta is afraid.
That’s some kind of hostility, isn’t it? Is it because he’s Russian? Let the man play football. It’s a pity, but you have to deal with him: he has a contract with Atalanta.
Agreement still possible
However, Perkasi did not put an end to Miranchuk’s passing in a speech to the press, and Turin sporting director Davide Vagnati is convinced of the deal:
“Yes, we are signing Miranchuk. A lease or a full transfer? This is a lease with an option to buy,” Vanyati said in a comment to “Championship”.
Currently, the passage of Miranchuk is subject to several conditions. The deal between Atalanta and Torino should come to an end as Bergamask completes the acquisition of Ademola Lukman, who spent his last season on loan at Leicester.
Everything seems to have been agreed there, and an in-depth medical examination should be the final touch with which the transition will be formalized.
True, Perkasi did mention that Miranchuk and Lukman could play together for Atalanta, but it just seems like pressure on Turin so that the Pomegranates are making a full-fledged buyout deal for the Russian, not an option-to-purchase lease. The price is known – € 9 million.
Ideal option for Miranchuk
Turin has so much money because the club sold main defender Gleison Bremer this summer to enemies at Juventus for 40 million euros.
In the “Torino” camp, the atmosphere is quite tense due to the transfer campaign. So much so that head coach Ivan Juric and sports director Davide Vagnati got into a fight in the parking lot of a hotel in Austria where bulls were training, and the video of the incident spread on social networks.
The thing is, not only is the star defender Bremer, but also the symbol of the team, Andrea Belotti of Italy and a large number of players have left the team, including last season’s second goalscorer from Torino Josip Brekalo and a key midfielder. Rolando Mandragora.
But everything is still very bad with the entry deals. Nar bought goalkeeper Etrit Berisha on loan, midfielder Stefano Ricci and striker Pietro Pellegri and acquired another striker Nemanja Radonjich from Marseille.
In Serie C, young winger Brian Bayeye was bought from Catanzaro. Everything.
In such a situation Miranchuk should be a key win for Torino and the Russian football player himself will leave the Atalanta bench and eventually play all the time.
Unless Gasperini rests, of course.
As part of Atalanta, the Russian midfielder played 44 Serie A matches in two seasons, scoring six goals and seven assists.