italian club Atalanta lowered the asking price for russian midfielder alexei miranchuk by a quarter, cutting his market value from 12 million euros to 9 million. this adjustment comes as speculation about the player’s future at the club continues to unfold across transfer windows.
miranchuk moved from lokomotiv moscow to atalanta in september 2020, with manager vadim shpinev noting a transfer fee of 14.5 million euros. the contract extension linked to the move was discussed in terms of a multi-year plan, with all parties anticipating progression through the italian side’s ranks and into european competition. the express goal was sustained development under atalanta’s system, which is known for developing players and competing in both domestic and continental tournaments.
however, miranchuk struggled to secure a regular place in atalanta’s starting lineup. in the summer of 2022 he joined torino on loan, a move that provided him with an opportunity to prove his value with regular minutes. during his year in turin, he appeared in 29 league games and found the back of the net four times, fueling optimism at the club that he could become a more influential option. despite this, torino eventually expressed interest in keeping him beyond the loan spell, signaling the potential fit between miranchuk and turin’s project.
returning to atalanta for the start of the subsequent season, miranchuk faced renewed competition for minutes. in the early stages of the new campaign he featured in three competitive matches across all competitions, accumulating a total of 56 minutes on the field. these appearances highlighted the tight depth chart at atalanta and the level of rotation the coaching staff employed to manage workload and form across the squad.
the player publicly acknowledged the challenges he faced, describing his situation as difficult. in remarks reported by sports24, miranchuk explained that limited match time and insufficient training opportunities contributed to his current frustration. he also stressed the importance of european competition as a motivating factor, noting that europa league duties could provide meaningful game time and help him regain form during a demanding schedule. the comments underscored a common reality for players in leagues with congested fixtures and intensive training demands, where even talented individuals must navigate a balance between preparation, selection, and performance.
as the market and the squad evolve, the exchange between a club’s financial considerations and on-field needs becomes evident. miranchuk’s case illustrates how transfer values can shift over time in response to performance, contract status, and strategic priorities. prior to the recent adjustment, there had been conversations about the decision’s implications for both atalanta and miranchuk, particularly regarding long-term alignment and the potential for future moves depending on form and development across different competitions. this narrative remains part of a broader pattern seen in european football, where loan spells, contract discussions, and market recalibrations frequently intersect with a player’s progress and a club’s tactical plans. (transfermarkt)