Atalanta are considering an attempt to re-sign centre-back Mattia Caldara from AC Milan, according to a report, but it will be a difficult operation.
Caldara has not played a competitive game for the Rossoneri since August when he sustained ligament damage in a Coppa Italia game against Lazio, though he is back in training and nearing a full return.
According to a report from TMW though – as cited by MilanNews.it – Atalanta are ‘seriously considering’ the idea of cutting short Caldara’s time with Milan in an attempt to bring him back to Bergamo.
The 25-year-old was bought from La Dea in 2016 by Juventus – but remained with them until June 2018 – before being shipped to Milan as part of the deal which saw Leonardo Bonucci go back to Turin.
The report claims that Atalanta are reflecting on their approach, because currently Caldara has a value of around €24.5million on Milan’s accounts, a figure considered excessive in a single payment.
A loan of one and a half years with the right of redemption could be plausible, so that the figure could be reduced over time. In 2021, when Caldara would have two years of his contract left, his value on the balance sheet after amortisation would be €14m.
Milan would be willing to sell, but the injury sustained by Leo Duarte has blocked all movements. Despite this, TMW adds that encouraging signs are coming from the player’s entourage, and that contacts could be established early in January.
However, the Nerazzurri face one stumbling block which is arguably the biggest of all: Caldara is intent on staying at Milan and fighting for a starting spot, because returning to Atalanta would seem a defeat after having left there already once.
SempreMilan Podcast: Episode 79 – The Birthday Special
