Juventus-owned centre-back Cristian Romero is set to join Atalanta on a permanent basis, Goal can confirm.
The Argentine had originally joined the Bergamo club on a two-year loan in September 2020 – for €2 million up front plus bonuses – which included an option to buy.
Atalanta have decided to exercise that option a year early, however, with the club having become fully convinced by the defender's performances.
The Romero deal explained
Juve will receive a fee of €16m (£14m/$19.5m) when they hand over full ownership to Gian Piero Gasperini's side.
Atalanta's reasons for moving so quickly to tie down Romero stem from his stellar season at the Gewiss Stadium, upon the conclusion of which he was honoured with Serie A's defender of the year.
Indeed, the 23-year-old's almost telepathic partnership with fellow centre-backs Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti and Jose Luis Palomino played a huge part in the club finishing third in the league and securing Champions League football for the 2021-22 season.
What next for Romero?
Having impressed so much at club level, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has called up Romero for the Albiceleste's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, during which he could make his national team debut.
Should Scaloni be as impressed as Atalanta with Romero's progress, he could well go on to be a key player for his country at this summer's Copa America, which kicks off on June 13.
Further reading
- Why were Argentina dropped as Copa America hosts?
- Ronaldo shirt snub made me ashamed - Gosens
- Zapata reveals favourite Prem side amid transfer talk
