Football
Exclusive: Leeds and Sunderland Target Mario Pašalić After Atalanta Contract Ends
Sunderland and Leeds United are eyeing a deal for Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic on a free transfer as he is set to leave Atalanta. The 30-year-old, with 76 caps, is open to playing in the Premier League after successful stints in Serie A. Both clubs are keen on the experienced midfielder to bolster their squads.
Atalanta v AS Roma - Serie A by Image Photo Agency | Getty Images
Sunderland and Leeds United are considering make a moving for Croatia international Mario Pasalic ahead of their respective returns to the Premier League, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Former Chelsea and AC Milan midfielder Pasalic is out of contract at Atalanta at the end of the month.
Both the Black Cats and Whites are hoping to see if they can grab a bargain and sign the 76-cap international on a free transfer when his deal expires on 30th June.
Pasalic, 30, has been a mainstay of the Atalanta side which finished third place in Italy’s top league this season, albeit eight points behind eventual champions Napoli.
Atalanta are understood to be keen to try and agree a new deal with Pasalic, who initially joined them on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea in July 2018.
After two loan seasons at the Gewiss Stadium, Pasalic signed for the club on a permanent deal worth £13.4million.
PREMIER LEAGUE CHANCE?
After seven years in Serie A our sources have learnt that the player his open to the opportunity to finally make his Premier League bow.
Amazingly Pasalic has not played a single game for the Blues in the top-flight despite a high-profile move in July 2014.
He was sent out on loan to Spanish side Elche in La Liga, followed by loan moves to Monaco, AC Milan and Spartak Moscow.
But despite spells in top leagues around the world the Blues’ midfielder never got a chance at Stamford Bridge and has been waiting for his Premier League chance ever since.
Pasalic has played 298 times for Atlanta across seven seasons in total and weighed in with 59 goals.
And both Sunderland and Leeds are looking for an experienced player to control the middle of the park as they look to make a mark back in the top-flight.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.