The transfer of Odilon Kossounou from Bayer 04 to Europa League winners Atalanta Bergamo has been finalized. The double winners will pocket 5.5 million euros as a loan fee. The Italians, on the other hand, have secured an option to buy, allowing them to sign the Ivorian permanently for a fee of 25 million euros
The departure of the central defender, who moved to Bayer from Club Brugge for around €23 million in 2021, is now complete. Atalanta Bergamo, who beat Bayer 04 3-0 in the Europa League final in May, have secured the services of the 2024 Ivorian Africa Cup winner – initially for one season
Rolfes: “Odilon’s transfer is a good solution for everyone involved ”
“Odilon’s transfer is a good solution for everyone involved,” commented Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes on the transfer of the defender, who can play both centrally and out wide. “We wish him a successful season at Atalanta.”
Due to his broad profile, the departure of the right-footer represents a loss in sporting terms. After all, Kossounou is quick, strong in tackles, aggressive, physically extremely robust and also has the ability to play forward. His versatility makes him a remarkable overall package.
However, as Bayer wanted to make an expensive sale after three purchases for around 43 million euros, the 23-year-old was the logical candidate. After all, the defender had initially rejected Bayer’s proposal to extend his contract, which runs until 2026
No longer an undisputed regular
Kossounou is said to have been unhappy with the role he has played at Bayer 04 this calendar year. Following his participation in the Africa Cup, Josip Stanisic, who has since returned to FC Bayern, had established himself at right-back. Kossounou was no longer an undisputed regular and had to start several games on the substitutes’ bench. He had also lost out to Jonathan Tah, Piero Hincapie and Edmond Tapsoba in the battle for a place in the starting eleven during preparations for the new season.
As a result, his sale does not hurt quite as much in sporting terms as it would have done after the first half of the 2023/24 season, for example. On the other hand, Bayer could probably have achieved a higher transfer fee for the professional had he maintained his level of the first half of the season.
Kossounou not only received a yellow card before the break in the DFB Cup final against Kaiserslautern (1:0), but also had a particularly bad day in Leverkusen’s 1:1 draw in the Europa League quarter-final at West Ham United, significantly reducing his market value in the eyes of all Premier League clubs
No obligation to buy depending on use
In the end, a total of “only” 30 million euros is likely to be paid. Provided the Italians take up the purchase option for €25 million, which, contrary to initial reports, is not a purchase obligation dependent on the player’s performance.
After Kossounou’s departure, it was clear that Bayer would have to sign a top-class replacement for the back three. This will be Nordi Mukiele (26) from Paris St. Germain. Bayer 04 reached an agreement in principle with PSG and the former Leipzig player on Tuesday, as well as with Atalanta regarding Kossounou
