Atalanta Transfer Market: Davide Frattesi Complicates Matters for a Target
Bologna’s home loss to Lazio (0-1, with a goal by the prodigal son Frattesi) risks further complicating the negotiations for Jonathan Rowe. The English player, who came off the bench in the match against Lazio, remains one of Atalanta’s top targets, as the club aims to provide Sarri with another reinforcement following the signing of Eljif Elmas. The Bergamo-based club has already submitted a second offer of 35 million euros plus bonuses, but Bologna has rejected it.
The match at the Dall’Ara saw Domenico Tedesco’s Rossoblù—in his Serie A coaching debut—fall to a Lazio side seeking redemption after their ugly Coppa Italia loss to Mantova. Frattesi proved decisive on both ends of the field: the former Inter player broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with a perfect run onto Dia’s backheel pass, then saved the result in the 77th minute with a timely clearance off the goal line that denied Helland the equalizer. Bologna had already come close to scoring through Bernardeschi, whose free kick hit the post.
The Bologna club, led in the transfer market by former Atalanta executive Giovanni Sartori, has no need to sell and intends to part with another key player only if an irresistible offer comes along. Following the sales of Castro and Lucumì, the asking price for Rowe exceeds 40 million euros.
Rowe’s valuation appears even more significant given the club’s current situation: Bologna is already facing a busy week, with an away match against Atalanta in Bergamo scheduled for August 31. This convergence of on-field and transfer market factors makes the situation even more delicate, as Tedesco would be highly unlikely to agree to lose a player from the roster right on the eve of such a direct showdown against the potential buyer.
A considerable valuation for a player born in 2003 with great potential, who has not yet consistently made an impact in front of goal: three goals with Marseille and the same number with Bologna. Atalanta, however, strongly believes in his qualities and considers him the right fit to round out an attacking unit already rich in options. Sarri can count on Scamacca, Raspadori, and Zalewski, as well as De Ketelaere, Krstovic, Elmas, and versatile players like Pasalic and Samardzic.
It should not be forgotten, however, that Rowe also knows how to make an impact in decisive moments: it was his 91st-minute goal that gave Bologna a 3-2 victory on the road against Napoli on the penultimate matchday of last season—a result that helped fuel the Champions League race, which saw five teams separated by just five points. This episode underscores the young Englishman’s ability to make an impact under pressure and partly explains why Bologna is so determined not to sell off one of its most valuable players.
