Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is on the verge of completing a move to Italian Serie A side Atalanta, with a medical currently underway in Bergamo ahead of his proposed €21.5 million transfer from English club Southampton.
The 23-year-old is set to pen a four-year contract with the Bergamo-based club.
The deal includes an option for a fifth year and a 15% sell-on clause in favour of Southampton, who are set to recoup a portion of their record €25 million investment in the player.
Atalanta will pay an initial €17.5 million for the services of the Ghana international, with an additional €4 million in performance-related bonuses to be triggered over the course of his contract.
The move signals a significant step forward for Sulemana, who will now return to elite-level European football after Southampton’s relegation to the English Championship.
Sulemana joined the Saints from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais in February 2023, arriving with high expectations.
However, while he showed glimpses of his explosive pace and dribbling ability, he managed just two goals and three assists in 30 appearances during the 2024–25 season—numbers that ultimately reflected the club’s overall struggles.
Now, with a fresh opportunity in one of Europe’s most tactically demanding leagues, Sulemana is expected to thrive under the stewardship of Atalanta coach Ivan Juric, who is renowned for developing attacking talent.
The Serie A outfit, who qualified for European competition once again this season, see the Ghanaian as a valuable addition to a squad known for its energy, speed, and versatility.
For Sulemana, the move marks a vital turning point. After a difficult season in England, he will be keen to recapture the form that once made him one of the most exciting prospects in European football. With his raw pace and flair, Atalanta is betting on his ability to inject fresh attacking impetus as they gear up for another challenging domestic and European campaign.
The transfer also represents a rare but welcome Ghanaian presence in Italian football—a league where few Ghanaian wingers have featured in recent years. Sulemana will join a growing list of African players making their mark in Serie A, and his success in Bergamo could pave the way for more West African talent in Italy.
Once his medical is completed and the paperwork finalized, Sulemana will be officially unveiled as Atalanta’s newest signing and begin pre-season preparations with his new teammates.
