Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Marseille have now opened talks with Atalanta over a deal for Tottenham target Ruslan Malinovskyi.
Malinovskyi has been linked with a move to Spurs over the last week, with reports indicating that Antonio Conte’s men are looking to sign the midfielder on loan with an option to buy and the player is keen on making the move to North London (TuttoAtalanta).
CalcioMercato reported on Thursday that Marseille had also entered the race for the Atalanta star and were set to battle Spurs for the 29-year-old’s signature. The report added that the Ligue 1 club were exploring a player-exchange deal for the Ukrainian.
This has now been backed up by Fabrizio Romano, who has taken to social media to reveal that the French club are ready to offer Cengiz Under to Atalanta in a deal to bring Malinovskyi to the Orange Velodrome.
Excl: Olympique Marseille are in talks to sign Ruslan Malinovskyi. Ukrainian midfielder wants a new challenge, as OM are negotiating with Atalanta and player side 🚨🔵🇺🇦 #OM #TeamOM
Cengiz Ünder can be included in the deal, as part of the negotiation – still in discussion. pic.twitter.com/75AQBsT6tK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2022
When asked about Spurs’ interest in the attacking midfielder, Romano responded that the Lilywhites have not made an official proposal for the player yet. He wrote: ‘Tottenham interest is there since long time but OM have made an official proposal for Malinovskyi, Spurs not yet as of now. Let’s see.”
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We would likely be able to blow Marseille out of the water, both in terms of the transfer fee and wages, but the French club would be able to guarantee Malinovskyi regular game time.
If Spurs have not made an official bid for the 29-year-old yet as Romano suggests, that might also be an indication that he is not the club’s priority and rather just one of several options the North Londoners are exploring.