Gasperini writes Atalanta transfer wish list including Cherki and Paixao | OneFootball

Atalanta are trying to convince Gian Piero Gasperini, with reports he is ready to let Ademola Lookman and Ederson leave, if they are replaced by Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao or Arne Engels of Celtic.

La Dea secured their qualification for the Champions League, something they have managed five times in the last seven years under his tenure, along with winning the Europa League trophy in 2024.

The coach is only tied to them until June 2026 and is not prepared to sign an extension unless he receives cast iron guarantees on the strength of the squad at his disposal.

epa11712925 Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the Italian Serie A soccer match Atalanta BC vs Udinese Calcio at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, 10 November 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

According to Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, this does not necessarily mean keeping hold of Lookman and Ederson, who are known to be targeted by the Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Gasperini is open to these massive profit-making sales as long as they are adequately replaced, and he has a wish-list that he presented to the Atalanta owners.

Atalanta targeting Cherki, Paixao and Engels

LISBON, PORTUGAL – OCTOBER 23: Igor Paixao of Feyenoord during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between SL Benfica and Feyenoord at Estadio da Luz on October 23, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

At the top is Cherki, who is expected to leave Olympique Lyonnais this summer, as his contract will expire in June 2026.

The versatile winger has 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 competitive games for Lyon this season, with interest also from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Cherki had already been approached by Atalanta in January, so some groundwork has already been done there.

Paixao is another name mentioned by Gasperini, having impressed in the Champions League against Milan and Juventus.

The Brazilian has 18 goals and 19 assists in 47 games, turning 25 next month.

Atalanta seeking reinforcements for Gasperini

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 23: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC competes for the ball with Arne Engels of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

In midfield, the options are Genoa’s Morten Frendrup or 21-year-old Celtic and Belgium international player Engels, who again had already been targeted in the January market.

As for the defence, Atalanta hope to buy Odilon Kossounou outright from Bayer Leverkusen after his loan, but at a discount on the €25m option considering he missed a lot of the season through injury, with Udinese’s Oumar Solet a candidate.