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Just as Chelsea were winning on the pitch on Sunday, we were apparently winning at the negotiating table as well, with reports out of Italy claiming that a transfer agreement for Davide Zappacosta has been found with Atalanta.
While earlier reports only spoke of a loan, reports today claim that it’s a permanent deal, though without any word of how much the transfer fee may be.
Davide Zappacosta will leave Chelsea on a permanent move. Agreement reached with Atalanta and done deal! Contract will be until June 2025 as per @DiMarzio. #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2021
Ugbo to Genk [£5m on permanent move] and Bakayoko to AC Milan [loan] will be the next outgoings for Chelsea
Zappacosta had been actively courted by both Atalanta and Fiorentina over the past week, with the latter jumping in and reportedly offering a €1m loan fee along with a €10m buy-option, which we may have even accepted. But, as per Gianluca Di Marzio, that prompted Atalanta to actually make a proper transfer bid, which is certainly a rarity these days. Needless to say, Chelsea were much more keen on that.
The 29-year-old right back is said to be ready to return to Atalanta, where he played once already, back in 2014-15. The deal is said to be close, if not done already, so hopefully the necessary medicals and signatures can be acquired soon as well.