Everton learn Raoul Bellanova transfer chances as Atalanta stance U-turns
Everton have been strongly linked with Atalanta defender Raoul Bellanova this summer.
With a matter of weeks to go in the summer transfer window, David Moyes still hasn't solved his right-back problem.
This is of great frustration to many Evertonians, as this position is widely seen as the weakest area of the Toffees' squad.
Amongst the many right-backs linked this summer, Everton even tabled a bid for Bellanova in early July.
The 26-year-old suffered an underwhelming second season with Atalanta last term, after enjoying a superb debut 2024-25 campaign in Bergamo.
As a result, it had seemed likely that the six-cap Italian international could leave the Serie A side this summer as the Maurizio Sarri era begins there.
Which Premier League club has helped Everton get Raoul Bellanova answer?
As time ticks down towards the transfer deadline, many Everton fans would likely welcome just about any right-back signing at this point.
In the prime of his career and having put up impressive numbers in Italy, Bellanova's star potential in the Premier League is clear.
Unfortunately though, Everton won't be signing Bellanova this summer, nor, indeed, will any other club.
In an update from Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday, they claim that Fulham have enquired about signing Bellanova.
Atalanta's response? No. A definitive no too, as it's now claimed that his situation in Bergamo has completely flipped its head over recent weeks.
The report states that Bellanova is now set to play a part in Sarri's plans this season, and could start in their Conference League tie on Thursday.
Clearly then, the previous feeling in Bergamo was that Bellanova wasn't in Sarri's thinking, and thus could be on his way out.
But why might this news be no bad thing for Everton?
Would Bellanova have been a good stylistic fit for Everton?
Seldom is Moyes seen shifting from his trusty 4-2-3-1 formation in charge of Everton.
Whether the 63-year-old will ever commit to a fundamental tactical change remains to be seen, but it feels unlikely.
This would've caused a problem had Bellanova signed too, as he's a wing-back by trade who doesn't have a lot of experience playing in a back four.
So, on top of the standard challenge facing a foreign player adapting to English football, he'd also be playing a role he's not really suited to.
Bellanova produced nine assists for Atalanta in 2024-25 and seven for Torino in 2023-24, highlighting just how attacking-minded he is.
Perhaps Everton won't rue missing out on Bellanova's signature then, as he wouldn't be the obvious tactical fit Moyes is hunting for.