Atalanta Close To Signing Fulham Striker Rodrigo Muniz As Transfer Talks Heat Up

Atalanta are moving quickly to sign Rodrigo Muniz from Fulham. The clubs are in talks, and Muniz wants to play in Serie A. The Brazilian striker is eager to join Atalanta for next season, and both clubs are working on a deal.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Atalanta increased their interest in Muniz after selling Mateo Retegui. Fulham rejected an initial offer of £34.5 million (€40 million). They want around £50 million. Despite the rejection, Atalanta remain confident, as Muniz declined a contract extension at Fulham and is keen to play Champions League football. The forward has scored 26 goals in 97 games since joining Fulham. Last season, Muniz made only eight Premier League starts, scoring eight goals and providing one assist. Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur were interested but also had bids rejected this summer.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last season, ending with 42 points. A departure by Muniz would be a setback, as manager Marco Silva has publicly criticized the club’s transfer processes this summer. In contrast, Atalanta finished third in Serie A last season and secured Champions League qualification. They need a reliable striker following Retegui’s exit. The deal is also complicated by Muniz’s contract situation, which runs for another year with an option for Fulham to extend.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Further talks are expected in the coming days as Atalanta work to bridge the gap between their offer and Fulham’s valuation of Muniz.

Atalanta’s season starts next Monday against newly promoted Pisa, while Fulham kick off their Premier League campaign at home versus Brighton. Atalanta will want to bridge the gap to the teams above them last season, Inter Milan and champions Napoli, wile Pisa is back into the Serie A after gaining promotion from Italy’s 2nd tier last season.

Both clubs are aware that the situation with Muniz might be resolved before the transfer window closes, with interest from Leeds United still present.