Coach Juric has set his sights on the Leipzig center-back, whose physical presence would significantly strengthen the defensive line. Meanwhile, following Jashari`s injury, Milan has paused discussions on the American midfielder`s transfer, leaving negotiations ongoing.
Atalanta`s transfer market could see two new additions. One is a midfielder, with Yunus Musah from AC Milan being the top target. The other is a defender. Focusing on the latter, while an arrival isn`t guaranteed, the club is carefully considering late-market opportunities. The management and sporting department are reportedly revisiting a name that was already on their wish list last summer: Dutch player Lutsharel Geertruida. A versatile defender, he can also play as a right-back when needed. Born in 2000, he is under contract with Leipzig until 2029. Last year, the German club preempted Atalanta to sign him from Feyenoord for €20 million. In Germany, he has been a regular presence, making 24 appearances and scoring one goal in the league, and featuring in 8 Champions League matches. He started 17 times domestically and 7 times in European competitions.
Yunus Musah
Experience
Despite his previous regular appearances, this new season has seen Geertruida relegated to the bench for both the first league match and the opening cup round, with coach Ole Werner favoring Ridle Baku at right-back and the Lukeba-Orban pairing in central defense. Nevertheless, Geertruida`s quality is undeniable. Beyond Atalanta, who have been monitoring him for some time and are exploring a potential move, Nottingham Forest in the Premier League has also shown interest. Geertruida boasts extensive international experience, with 48 appearances across all three European club competitions, and has been part of the Dutch national team setup since 2023. Atalanta would likely pursue a loan deal with an option to buy if negotiations were to commence. However, Geertruida is not the only defensive target for the club. They remain open to other solutions, especially after coach Juric expressed his desire for an additional defender in the squad to tackle the season, following their league debut against Pisa.
Lutsharel Geertruida
Patience Required
Regarding the Musah transfer, patience is key. Ardon Jashari`s severe injury has forced AC Milan to reassess their initial willingness to let Musah move to Bergamo. The deal is not off, but merely on hold, as Milan considers their next steps. In Bergamo, Musah would be a valuable asset, capable of covering two roles: in central midfield, providing rotation for Ederson and De Roon, and on the right flank as an alternative to Bellanova.
