Key Points
- Fulham have entered formal transfer talks for Atalanta right-back Raoul Bellanova and submitted a £20 million (€20 million) bid.
- Serie A club Atalanta have officially rejected Fulham’s proposal and placed a “not for sale” tag on the 26-year-old defender.
- According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, new Atalanta manager Maurizio Sarri considers Bellanova an indispensable part of his tactical plans for the upcoming campaign.
- Fulham are actively seeking defensive reinforcements following a busy transfer window that saw the arrival of manager Alvaro Arbeloa alongside several marquee signings and major squad departures.
- Previous interest from Premier League rivals Everton was also turned down earlier in the transfer window.
Fulham FC (West London News) August 17, 2026 — Fulham have submitted a £20 million (€20 million) formal bid to sign Atalanta wing-back Raoul Bellanova, but the proposal has been swiftly rejected by the Serie A side.
As reported by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the West London club made direct contact with Atalanta to negotiate a move for the 26-year-old Italian international. However, the Bergamo outfit have made it clear that they have no intention of selling the player during the current transfer window.
The move comes amidst a major squad overhaul at Craven Cottage under newly appointed manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Fulham have been searching for a new right-back for an extended period, having previously explored potential deals for West Ham United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Trabzonspor’s Wagner Pina. Having turned their primary attention to Italian football, Fulham encountered immediate resistance from Atalanta’s decision-makers.
As reported by journalist Sam Wilson of Football Italia, the direct intervention of Atalanta head coach Maurizio Sarri played a pivotal role in blocking the transfer. Sarri has informed the club’s board that Bellanova is an essential component of his tactical setup, urging the hierarchy to remove the player from the market entirely.
The rejection marks the second time this summer that Premier League interest in Bellanova has been rebuffed. Everton had previously attempted to secure the defender’s services earlier in the transfer window, only to see their approach turned down for similar reasons.
During the previous campaign under former head coach Raffaele Palladino, Bellanova experienced a restricted role, making just 24 appearances in Serie A. However, Sarri’s arrival has radically altered the defender’s trajectory in Bergamo. Having featured prominently throughout pre-season fixtures, Bellanova has impressed the Italian tactician with his versatility, athletic work rate, and attacking output along the right flank. Furthermore, with 34-year-old Davide Zappacosta entering the veteran stage of his career and young full-back Marco Palestra having already departed for Chelsea, Atalanta are unwilling to deplete their right-sided defensive depth.
Fulham’s pursuit of Bellanova forms part of a busy summer recruitment drive. The Cottagers have already secured high-profile additions, including Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid, Shea Charles from Southampton, and completed a permanent deal for Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich. These arrivals follow significant high-profile departures from Craven Cottage, including Harry Wilson, Raul Jimenez, Issa Diop, and Sasa Lukic.
It remains unclear whether Fulham will return with an improved proposal that meets Atalanta’s valuation or divert their focus toward alternative right-back targets before the transfer deadline.
What Is the Background to Raoul Bellanova’s Transfer Situation?
To understand why Atalanta are taking such a uncompromising stance regarding Raoul Bellanova, it is necessary to examine both his recent career trajectory and the broader structural changes at the Italian club.
Bellanova, 26, is a product of AC Milan’s youth academy and has developed a reputation as one of the most dynamic full-backs in Italian football. Over recent seasons, he has gained extensive Serie A experience, featuring for Bordeaux, Cagliari, Inter Milan, and Torino before making his move to Atalanta. Capable of operating either as a traditional right-back or as a right wing-back in a five-man midfield, his pace and crossing ability earned him international recognition with the Italian national team.
Despite his pedigree, Bellanova struggled for consistent starting minutes during the previous season under former manager Raffaele Palladino, featuring in only 24 Serie A matches. That lack of regular playing time initially fuelled speculation that the defender could be available during the summer transfer window, prompting inquiry and bids from Premier League clubs such as Everton and Fulham.
However, the managerial transition at Atalanta has completely reshaped the player’s status. Following the appointment of Maurizio Sarri, the tactical framework at the club shifted significantly. Sarri identified Bellanova’s athletic profile as an ideal fit for his system. With Atalanta also sanctioning the sale of promising full-back Marco Palestra to Chelsea earlier in the window, the club hierarchy determined that retaining Bellanova was a strategic priority to ensure squad stability.
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How Will This Transfer Development Affect Fulham and Their Supporters?
The rejection of Fulham’s £20 million offer presents immediate tactical and financial implications for manager Alvaro Arbeloa and the club’s recruitment team.
For Fulham supporters and squad planners, the primary impact is the continued urgency surrounding the right-back position. Having allowed key senior figures to depart Craven Cottage during this window, securing a top-tier full-back remains an unfulfilled objective. If Fulham choose to raise their offer significantly to test Atalanta’s resolve, it could limit financial flexibility for other prospective squad additions. Conversely, if Fulham abandon negotiations, the recruitment team will be forced to rapidly pivot back to secondary options, such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Wagner Pina, with limited time remaining in the transfer window.
For Atalanta and their supporters, retaining Bellanova provides essential squad continuity ahead of the new Serie A campaign. Under Sarri’s management, the player is expected to play a featured role, transitioning from a squad player into a regular starter along the right flank.
