Bournemouth Defender Wanted By Atalanta, Leeds, As Sevilla Negotiate

Sevilla have reportedly opened talks to sign Bournemouth-owned full-back Max Aarons, but Atalanta and Leeds United are also interested in the 25-year-old.

Football Espana reports that Atalanta are among the clubs interested in Valencia loanee Max Aarons who is expected to return to Bournemouth at the end of the season.

According to the report, the Serie A side are among the six teams following the English defender, but Sevilla have already opened talks.

Football Espana claims that agreeing to personal terms is not expected to be an issue for Sevilla as the Englishman is keen to join Valencia’s domestic rivals in the summer.

Valencia signed Aarons on loan with an option to buy in the January transfer window, but the 25-year-old has only collected two La Liga appearances since.

Therefore, Valencia are not interested in discussing a permanent transfer for the versatile full-back who will be available for €12m to €15m.

Olympique Marseille and Lille are said to be the Ligue 1 clubs interested in Aarons, while suitors from the Premier League include Sheffield United and Leeds United. Sevilla’s city rivals, Real Betis, were previously linked with the English defender but are no longer interested in the 25-year-old.

Atalanta’s future coach
It remains to be seen if Gian Piero Gasperini will remain at the helm in Bergamo, given that he recently admitted he’d not extend his contract beyond 2026.

“There’s a beginning and an end. At the end of the year, we’ll see whether to let the contract run out or stop earlier, but there definitely won’t be any continuity. There will be no further renewals or extensions,” the coach said in February.

The experienced tactician added more recently: “I never said I was leaving. I said something else, that I wouldn’t extend my contract, which is different.

“Right now, the only goal is to reach the Champions League. It’s not something you achieve in one season, but over the months and years. I have a bond with Bergamo and Atalanta. Sometimes people forget the players we’ve lost due to injuries, but everything is positive; we just need to finish strong.”

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