Atalanta forward Andrea Petagna has revealed he would join Inter despite previously playing for city rivals AC Milan.
Petagna has been in fine form for Serie A’s surprise package Atalanta this season and has even earned his senior Italy debut off the back of his performances in the league.
Interest will be high in a number of Atalanta players this season with the club on the brink of European football and Petagna, who came through the Milan academy, has risked upsetting his old club after revealing he would join their fiercest rivals.
“Atalanta in Europe? It’s a dream that we’re living, also thanks to the coach and president Percassi,” he told Sky Italia, via Football Italia. “Now we’re enjoying this great moment. This has been the most beautiful year of my life.
“I must thank Gasperini for believing in me and kick-starting my career in Serie A. After our run of six straight wins, we became aware [of what we could achieve] and said that we could have an important season, which we did thanks to the team and this great group.
“My future? I have the European Under-21 Championships, which we wan to win. After that, we’ll see. I’d like to continue playing with Atalanta after reaching Europe, but the club will decide.
“I grew up at Milan, they took me when I was only 13 years old. Inter? I’d certainly go there, they’re a great team.”
Inter are readying themselves for another summer of huge investment under their new Chinese owners and are expected to be the one of the busiest teams in Italy in the transfer window.
However, they are still managerless and finding Stefano Pioli’s successor is proving difficult after appearing to miss out on both of their first choice replacements, Antonio Conte and Diego Simeone.
In Petagna’s breakthrough campaign, he has played a direct hand in 12 league goals for Atalanta. In fact, only talisman Alejandro Gomez (10) has registered more assists in Serie A for Atalanta this season than Petagna (7).
For more stats on Andrea Petagna, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
