Fulham face €25m demand as Atalanta prepare for Raoul Bellanova offers

Fulham have been told they will need to meet Atalanta's €25 million valuation if they want to sign Raoul Bellanova this summer.

The Italian wing-back is expected to be one of the players available for transfer during the current window, with Atalanta increasingly open to a sale after a frustrating campaign. Fulham are among the clubs monitoring the situation closely and are believed to be stronger contenders than several other interested sides.

However, the Serie A club appear unwilling to negotiate from a weakened position.

According to reports from Italy, Fulham and AS Roma are currently the most serious contenders for Bellanova's signature.

The 26-year-old has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest in recent months, but Fulham are viewed as the club showing the strongest interest at this stage.

Atalanta are now waiting for formal approaches to arrive before deciding how to proceed.

The Bergamo side have already begun assessing potential replacements, with Juventus defender Nicolò Savona reportedly among the names under consideration should Bellanova depart.

That preparation suggests Atalanta are open to doing business if their valuation is met.

While Bellanova's talent is undeniable, there are reasons why Fulham may hesitate before meeting the asking price.

Many of the injuries suffered by the Italian have reportedly been muscular issues. That is particularly relevant when considering the physical demands of Premier League football.

The club generally targets players capable of coping with the intensity and workload required in England. Bellanova's recent injury history raises understandable questions in that regard.

There are also concerns about consistency in the final third.

Although he demonstrated outstanding creative numbers during the 2024/25 season, his delivery and decision-making have frequently come under scrutiny during other periods of his career.

Atalanta's valuation reflects the player's peak level rather than his most recent campaign.

The Italian club have earned a reputation as intelligent sellers and are rarely willing to move players for less than they believe the market will pay.

That said, Fulham may feel there is room for negotiation.

Given Bellanova's injury concerns and reduced production last season, a fee closer to €20 million could represent a more balanced valuation.

However, competition from Roma and other clubs may limit Fulham's ability to negotiate aggressively.

The next step depends on whether Fulham or Roma formalise their interest with official bids. Atalanta appear ready to sell, but only on terms that reflect their valuation.

For Fulham, further due diligence on Bellanova's fitness record is likely before any serious move is made. The talent is evident, but whether he represents a genuine upgrade on existing options at Craven Cottage remains open to debate. The coming weeks should reveal whether admiration develops into a concrete transfer attempt.

Should Fulham pay Atalanta's €25m asking price for Raoul Bellanova, or are the injury concerns too significant to ignore?