Key Takeaways:
- Atalanta reached a permanent €22 million agreement to sign Giacomo Raspadori from Atletico Madrid, outmanoeuvring Roma and Napoli
- Raspadori made just 15 appearances, with two goals and three assists, during his six-month stint at Atletico Madrid
- Ademola Lookman could depart Atalanta for Fenerbahce as Raspadori is set to feature on the left flank
Transfer Details and Background
Atalanta have secured a shock transfer coup by signing Giacomo Raspadori from Atletico Madrid for a reported €22 million. The deal, which is understood to be permanent, materialised after negotiations between Raspadori and Roma stalled. The 25-year-old forward had been engaged in talks with the Giallorossi for several weeks, but Atalanta quietly moved in to finalise the agreement and will welcome the Italian international imminently.
Napoli had also monitored Raspadori’s situation, although the player was undecided regarding his future. This uncertainty allowed Atalanta to accelerate their pursuit and finalise terms ahead of their Serie A rivals.
🚨⚫️🔵 BREAKING: Atalanta are set to sign Giacomo Raspadori from Atlético Madrid after surprise late night move.
Atalanta to beat AS Roma. pic.twitter.com/uBcQJ9IETO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2026
Roma and Lazio Miss Out as Atalanta Move Quickly
Roma reportedly presented Raspadori with an ultimatum as part of a proposed loan-to-buy arrangement, but subsequently shifted their focus to Aston Villa’s Donyell Malen and Marseille prospect Robinio Vaz. Vaz is set to complete his transfer soon, while negotiations with Malen are said to be progressing swiftly. Nonetheless, Raspadori had initially been Roma’s primary target for several weeks, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini keen to add him following a subdued start to the January window.
Sticking points during Roma’s negotiations included an insistence on tying a permanent transfer clause to performance-related objectives, which delayed progress. Atalanta, by contrast, were able to agree terms directly, providing a more enticing package to Atletico Madrid. The Spanish club preferred Atalanta’s €22million bid, with an additional €1million in bonuses, rather than prolong discussions with Roma.
Potential Impact at Atalanta and Squad Implications
Raspadori is anticipated to feature on the left side of Raffaele Palladino’s attacking setup, as reported by Calciomercato. This positional shift could see Ademola Lookman leaving the club, with Fenerbahce reportedly closing in on a transfer this month.
| Player | From | To | Transfer Fee | Contract Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giacomo Raspadori | Atletico Madrid | Atalanta | €22,000,000 (+ €1,000,000 bonuses) | Permanent |
The transfer brings Raspadori’s brief Atletico Madrid spell to an end after just six months. During his time in Spain, he amassed 15 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and registering three assists. The Italian forward, who has extensive Serie A experience with 31 goals from 164 appearances, was omitted from Atletico’s squad for their Copa del Rey contest against Deportivo on Tuesday night and is now preparing to return to Italy, with a medical set to take place in the coming days.
Lazio Reaction and Raspadori’s Serie A Return
Lazio are believed to have made a recent attempt to sign Raspadori but were turned down. In response, club president Claudio Lotito remarked, “he was ‘not Maradona’.”
Raspadori’s switch to Atalanta signals an intriguing development in the January transfer market, particularly after the club’s swift manoeuvring edged out both Roma and Napoli for his signature.
