July 27, (THEWILL) – Atalanta have reached an agreement to acquire the services of promising striker, El Bilal Toure from Almeria.
The 21-year-old Ivorian is set to join the Italian club, stepping in as a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who has been a target for Manchester United during the summer transfer window. Despite two previous rejected offers from United, a recent bid of £51.4m, including add-ons, was tabled by the English club. In response, Paris Saint-Germain has made a rival verbal bid of £42.9m. However, Atalanta remains steadfast in their demand for £60m for the young Danish talent.
Having conveyed his desire to make the move to Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund’s future at Atalanta looks uncertain, prompting the Serie A club to plan for his potential departure. The imminent arrival of El Bilal Toure from Almeria seems to indicate their willingness to move forward without Hojlund. The transfer fee for Toure is agreed upon at €31m, inclusive of add-ons, and only a medical remains before the deal is finalised, expected to take place within the next 48 hours.
Everton had also shown interest in the Ivory Coast international, but they were unable to meet the financial requirements to make a suitable offer. Toure’s swift rise to prominence in European football has been noteworthy. After joining Almeria just last summer, he made a significant impact, even netting the winning goal against La Liga champions Barcelona in February, marking the club’s first-ever victory over the Catalan giants.
Toure’s journey began in January 2020 when he made the transition from Africa to Europe, representing Reims for two and a half years before moving to Spain. While the impending transfer to Atalanta is expected to be well-received in Manchester, uncertainty remains as to whether Hojlund will fulfill his wish to join Manchester United, whether PSG will win the race to sign him or whether he will remain with the Italian outfit.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
