Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted there were ‘difficulties’ over Amad Diallo’s move to , but appeared to confirm the teenager was set to join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side imminently.
United snapped up the 18-year-old in a £37million deal in October but he remained with the club for the opening months of the season.
Reports from this week claimed Atalanta had been turned down in their bid to keep him on loan for the second half of the campaign, with the player said to be close to receiving the paperwork he needs to move to England.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini (right) has admitted there were ‘difficulties’ over Amad Diallo’s (left) move to Manchester United
United reportedly rejected a bid from the Serie A side to keep him on loan until the summer
Gasperini told the player would ‘clearly’ move to Old Trafford after the issues around the move had been resolved.
‘There seemed to be transfer difficulties but as soon as they are unlocked the player clearly goes to Manchester United,’ he said.
He had earlier suggested that Diallo could be their ‘solution’ in the January transfer window and said he hoped to work out a deal with United.
‘The transfer market? We are fine, the club is attentive,’ Gasperini said.
‘There is an internal solution within the club that could be very interesting, even if the team is fine: it is Amad Diallo.
Diallo posted an image on Instagram showing himself on a plane ahead of his United transfer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said there are no obstacles in the way of Diallo joining United this month
‘It is clear that he is going to Manchester United, but he could still remain here for a few months with us. I like him a lot, he’s only 18. I’d like him to stay until June, obviously it depends on his club.’
But ESPN claimed the Red Devils had no intention of allowing him to stay until the end of the season, with Solskjaer insisting there were ‘no obstacles’ in the way of Diallo arriving.
Diallo sparked speculation he was set to link up with his Old Trafford team-mates this week after posting a picture of himself on a plane with his bags packed, with some outlets reporting he was jetting out to Rome to finalise his work permit.
Last month, Sportsmail revealed United were in the process of securing a Governing Body Endorsement from the FA that will lead to him being granted a work permit.
