Pierluigi Gollini’s future at Aston Villa looks increasingly in doubt after the goalkeeper outlined his intentions to stay in Italy for the foreseeable future.
The 21-year-old was sent to Serie A side Atalanta on loan for the rest of the season last week in a deal which includes an option to make it a permanent move in the summer.
Speaking to news agency ANSA, Gollini outlined his intentions and stated that he plans on continuing his career in Italy.
“I returned to Italy with the intention of staying and continuing my career here.”
Gollini went on to state that he was unhappy with the training regime currently at Villa, which has changed since Roberto Di Matteo was in charge.
“The condition I had set my agent for me to stay in Birmingham was to have an Italian goalkeeping coach. That was the situation, with Massimo Battara, until the manager Roberto Di Matteo was fired. I played a great deal at Villa, but I wasn’t happy with the training regime.”
Di Matteo signed the former Manchester United youth goalkeeper from Hellas Verona in a £4.25m deal back in July and was immediately made the club’s No.1 making 20 appearances in the Championship.
However, he fell out of favour under Steve Bruce and was on the bench for the four games prior to leaving the club on loan earlier this month.
Bruce brought in Sam Johnstone on loan from Manchester United which helped push Gollini further out the exit door.
Yet to make an appearance for Atalanta, it remains to be seen if the Italian U21 international will do enough to earn a permanent transfer.
