Raspadori’s Atalanta move to boost Gattuso’s Italy options

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 5:56 AM ET

Giacomo Raspadori’s move to Atalanta will likely boost Gennaro Gattuso’s options in the Italy attack, allowing the Azzurri to rely on multiple and different options up front.

Raspadori has begun his medical with Atalanta and will complete a permanent transfer to the New Balance Arena today.

Italy hope to benefit from Raspadori’s Atalanta move

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Giacomo Raspadori of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Raspadori will reunite with his compatriot Gianluca Scamacca in Bergamo, which will certainly come as positive news for Italy coach Gattuso, as Gazzetta highlights.

During his time in Madrid, Raspadori spent 330 minutes on the bench, making 15 appearances across all competitions, but only four as a starter. The ex-Napoli striker just played one game for the full 90 minutes, in the Copa Del Rey against Atletico Baleares.

Despite limited minutes in Madrid, Raspadori has not lost his place in the Italy squad, but he is sure to be more involved in Bergamo, giving Gattuso a sharper, match-ready option for the World Cup play-off in March.

Raspadori has already scored 11 goals in 45 appearances with the Azzurri and was part of the team that won the Euros in 2021.

Italy’s attacking options for World Cup play-off

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Giacomo Raspadori of Italy celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Gattuso has three possible options to deploy him: as a support striker in a 3-5-2 system, left attacking midfielder in a 3-4-2-1 system, the same used by Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino, or even as a winger in a 4-2-4 system.

Italy already beat Estonia in October, starting Riccardo Orsolini, Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Raspadori in attack.

Surely, Gattuso will get to the World Cup play-off in March with several options up front: a penalty-box striker like Retegui, a depth-running and dribbling forward, Kean, a mobile No.9, Scamacca, a striker who can easily link up with any attacking partner, Pio Esposito, and the versatile Raspadori.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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