Mario Pašalić’s transfer to Atalanta BC only seemed like a formality after their Sporting Director’s confirmation towards the same and now, the move has been officially announced by both Atalanta and Chelsea.
While Atalanta were attempting to negotiate a lower fee with Chelsea, it appears that they decided to ultimately pay up the agreed buyout amount of €15m, which is still extremely cheap for a player of his caliber. Chelsea did make a five times profit since we bought him for a paltry €2.5m back in the day, but the more important thing is that Pašalić will get to continue at a good club that he enjoys playing for.
Good luck, Mario!
— Chelsea FC (at ) (@ChelseaFC) June 22, 2020
The Bergamo-based club are in a strong position to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League as they sit in fourth place, six points above fifth-placed AS Roma in the Italian Serie A.
Pašalić joined Chelsea in 2014, and while he hadn’t played a single minute for Chelsea (in part due to work permit issues), he had very successful loan spells at Elche, AS Monaco, AC Milan and Spartak Moscow. He has been on loan to Atalanta since the start of the 2018-19 season, scoring 15 goals and providing 13 assists for the Orobici ever since then. Those are impressive numbers when you consider that the 25-year-old has played most of the time as a central midfielder. Pašalić has also made 12 appearances for Croatia.
In any case, all the best for your new continuing adventure, Mario! We hope that our paths cross again someday.
Official and confirmed. Pasalic to Atalanta on a permanent deal. €15M to Chelsea. #CFC https://t.co/Q4VnkfXIif
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2020