Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi is on the verge of leaving the Gewiss Stadium in the winter transfer window. If the latest reports are to be believed, a total of five clubs are interested in the services of the 2020-21 Serie A top assist provider, whose current is due to expire in June 2023.
Once a leader of the Bergamo-based outfit, Malinovskyi has fallen out of favour with Gian Piero Gasperini in the summer. According to Michele Criscitiello of Sportitalia, the conflict between the gaffer and the player sparkled during La Dea’s pre-season clash against Newcastle United. Gasperini was said to be unsatisfied with Malinovskyi’s attacking output as the Serie A side lost by a narrow livescore football margin of 1-0. The Italian has since been prioritizing players who are able to guarantee greater efficiency in attack, while the player lost his untouchable status.
Even though his trademark 16-yard strike ensured a point for Atalanta in the outing against AC Milan back in August, Malinovskyi is far from first-choice consideration as he has only played 394 minutes of football this season out of a possible 990 minutes. Notably, the Ukraine international hasn’t registered a single 90-minute appearance in Serie A this season. The midfielder has started only four league games for second-placed Atalanta and has been subbed off on four occasions, coming off the bench seven times in the process. It’s hardly surprising that the player is unhappy at Atalanta. According to ua-football.com, the club will let him leave for the sum in the region of 35 million euros.
Back in August, French side Olympique Marseille were considered to be the top contenders to sign the 29-year-old. As per L’Equipe, they planned a swap deal involving Malinovskyi and Turkish midfielder Cengiz Under. Nevertheless, the Ligue 1 runners-up have pulled out of the deal before Atalanta delivered their verdict on a potential move. According to a fresh report from Tutto Atalanta, OM are still keeping tabs on the player and could make an offer to the Ukraine international in the 2023 January transfer window.
Moreover, Calciomercato claims that as many as three Premier League clubs are said to be evaluating the possibility of signing Malinovskyi. Having had their bid for the player rejected in the summer, Tottenham Hotspur might try their luck at signing him again in January. West Ham United are another club thought to be tracking his progress, though there is no shortage of midfielders for David Moyes to draw on.
Lastly, Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest are rumoured to be monitoring matters the most. It remains to be seen whether Malinovskyi will decide to complete a switch to the relegation-threatened side, especially given significant interest in him from AS Roma. Jose Mourinho – whose side are currently fourth in the Serie A table – is said to be personally interested in signing the Ukrainian.
