Exclusive: Liverpool eye UCL star who lost 5-0 to Jurgen Klopp's side on his debut, Man City also big fans
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Premier League trio Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United have all taken a liking to Matteo Ruggeri but Atalanta have no interest in considering a January deal.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
In a week in which the respective left-back options available to Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola endured a difficult time of it, a 22-year-old Italian did his reputation no harm with another eye-catching display.
Andy Robertson set up Cody Gakpo’s clincher as Liverpool’s superior ruthlessness saw off Real Madrid at Anfield. But, at the other end of the pitch, the long-serving Scot suffered the latest in an increasingly long line of dodgy defensive performances.
Robertson gave away a penalty minutes after Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring. Fortunately, the ‘outstanding’ Caomhin Kelleher denied Kylian Mbappe from the spot to save Robertson’s blushes.
Josko Gvardiol, meanwhile, was at fault for Feyenoord’s first and also played a role in their second as Man City’s miserable run continued with a stunning collapse at home to Slot’s old employers.
Over in Switzerland, however, Matteo Ruggeri and Atalanta would enjoy a far more straightforward evening.
Liverpool and Manchester City eye Atalanta’s Matteo Ruggeri
TBR understands that Ruggeri has impressed scouts working on behalf of numerous clubs of late. Including, but not limited to, Liverpool, Man City and Manchester United.
City, it has been suggested, are the team most actively pursuing Ruggeri as things stand.
The Italy Under 21 international is one of the first names on Gian Piero Gasperini’s team sheet these days. Ruggeri produced two key passes, managed three clearances, and mustered an 85 per cent pass completion during an all-action display as Atalanta thrashed Young Boys of Bern 6-1 in their own backyard.
Ruggeri, of course, is not the only Atalanta ace with Premier League admirers.
Europa League hero Ademola Lookman is a Liverpool target too, reportedly. Midfield general Ederson has been linked with Newcastle and Manchester United, while Giorgio Scalvini was a man in high demand before suffering an ACL injury a few months ago.
TBR can confirm, meanwhile, that Atalanta are not looking to sell any of their key players in January.
After Lookman’s stunning hat-trick secured the Europa League title against Bayer Leverkusen, La Dea feel that a first ever Serie A title may be on the cards this term. Gasperini’s perennial overachievers currently sit second, one point behind Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
As such, Liverpool may have to look elsewhere if they want to speed up their pursuit of a long-term Robertson replacement. TBR understands that Liverpool like Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri and AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. The Reds may even be tempted to offer Kostas Tsimikas to Fulham as a makeweight in any deal for Robinson.
The USA speedster, like Lookman, spent time at Merseyside neighbours Everton as a youngster.
Ruggeri made Atalanta debut in 5-0 Liverpool defeat
Ruggeri, meanwhile, is renowned for his pinpoint deliveries from the left-hand flank. Speaking to the FIGC website a few months back, the former Salernitana loanee admits that he grew up idolising one-time Man City stalwart Aleksandr Kolarov, amongst others.
"My crossing? Since I was a kid I was good at this move,” Ruggeri explained. “But as I moved up in the ranks, it was essential to continue to work on it and improve it. I really liked Kolarov and Marcos Alonso, but also [Milan legend Paolo] Maldini.
“My role is a difficult and tiring role, but I wouldn’t change it for any other role in the world.”
Interestingly, Ruggeri made his senior Atalanta debut against current day suitors Liverpool back in 2020. Diogo Jota scored a hat-trick that day as Jurgen Klopp’s side cruised to a 5-0 Champions League win in Bergamo.
