Atalanta Bergamo are further strengthening their squad for the challenging 2024/25 season: The loan of Nicolo Zaniolo is worth €6.4 million to the reigning Europa League winners. However, a league rival is also hoping that the purchase obligation will take effect
Atalanta have already spent a lot of money this summer on the high hurdles that await them in the 2024/25 season. In addition to the permanent signing of Charles de Ketelaere for around €22 million, the Champions League starters also paid €12 million for Everton central defender Ben Godfrey.
The loan of Nicolo Zaniolo was also made official on Friday. As usual, Galatasaray made public the amount Bergamo would have to pay for the attacking player. 6.4 million euros are due for the loan year. If the conditions for a purchase obligation integrated into the loan contract are met, a further 15.5 million euros will be due, to which 2.5 million euros in bonuses could be added.
According to Italian media reports, the clause applies if Zaniolo plays at least 60 percent of Atalanta’s competitive matches. His contract in Istanbul runs until June 30, 2027.
Midfoot fracture shatters European Championship dream
The reigning Turkish champions, who had expected to earn more from signing Zaniolo in the winter of 2023 for a total of €15 million, would still earn a transfer fee for the 25-year-old if the worst came to the worst. However, this is Zaniolo’s fourth club in less than two years.
After 128 competitive games for Roma (24 goals, 18 assists), he played twelve for Galatasaray (five goals, one assist) before Cimbom transferred him to the Premier League. Last season, Zaniolo played for Aston Villa under coach Unai Emery, who used him 39 times (three goals).
Then, in May, Zaniolo suffered a broken metatarsal, which put an end to his dream of playing in the European Championship finals in Germany. Now he is trying again in Bergamo. Roma are also hoping that his return to Serie A will be a success. For one simple reason: when Zaniolo was sold to the Bosporus, the Giallorossi had secured a 20 percent resale share