Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has claimed that El Bilal Toure wants to leave the club before the end of the summer transfer window.
Toure was a transfer target for Everton last summer but instead opted to join La Dea from Almeria for £25million. However, the forward endured a difficult first campaign, despite Atalanta becoming Europa League champions and finishing fourth in Serie A.
Toure suffered a hamstring injury just weeks after the move, which kept him out for five months. And when he returned to fitness, the 22-year-old battled for regular time at Bergamo.
Gianluca Scammaca was Atalanta’s first goalscorer, although the former West Ham United striker has now suffered a torn ACL. Reports suggest La Dea are interested in signing Everton striker Beta as a replacement. Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that Beto and Toure could be replaced.
Atalanta, who face Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup next week, also face talisman Teun Koopmeiners, who is leaving to join Juventus. Speaking to L’Eco di Bergamo, Gasperini said: “To be clear, I currently have less Miranchuk, Hateboer, Holm and Adop compared to last season. Scamacca and Scalvini are injured and Koopmeiners and Tourè want to leave. And then there are still some unsolved situations like Bakker, Toloi, Palestra and Bonfanti, then it will work out, but it is clear that we are not starting the season in a perfect way.”
Beto joined Everton last summer from Udinese for around £26million. He had a mixed season at Goodison Park, scoring five goals in 37 appearances. The Portuguese was mostly second choice in the pecking order behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Youssef Chermiti has been ruled out for the start of the season after foot surgery. Neal Maupay is also a possibility but spent last campaign on loan at Brentford.