Atalanta's Muniz bid hinges on Fulham finding a replacement

Atalanta are edging toward a 40 million euro deal to sign Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz, but the move hinges on the Serie A club securing a suitable replacement first. With Mateo Retegui having departed for a lucrative move to Al-Qadsiah, Atalanta are looking for a striker to step into the role as their new No.9, and Muniz has emerged as their preferred heir. Fulham, however, are holding firm on the principle that Muniz will only leave if they have a ready-made alternative in place, and a prolonged summer transfer window means both clubs are weighing options as talks accelerate.

The two clubs have been circulating competing priorities. Atalanta’s bid represents a significant step up from their earlier inquiries, and the Italian side are prepared to move quickly if Fulham can meet their criteria for a replacement. The negotiations come after Fulham rejected offers they deemed insufficient and while the club has faced questions about their attacking depth. Last season Muniz contributed 11 goals in all competitions, a tally that underscored his growing value and attracted interest from several European clubs. Fulham’s stance remains that Muniz is not for sale at present, and they...