Atalanta are on the verge of reaching €800 million in player sales profits during the tenure of president Antonio Percassi, which began on June 4, 2010. The recent transfer of Marco Palestra to Chelsea, reportedly worth around €57 million, has pushed the club closer to this milestone, surpassing even the previous record set by Rasmus Højlund’s move to Manchester United.
The Bergamo-based club’s financial success is built on a clear strategy of developing and selling talent. Official financial records currently certify player sales profits of €609.11 million as of June 30, 2025. The proceeds from the sales of Retegui, Ruggeri, Lookman, and Palestra will soon be added to this figure, appearing in the 2025/26 financial year. The anticipated sale of Éderson in the 2026/27 financial year is also expected to contribute to this substantial total. Collectively, these five outgoing transfers are projected to generate a positive economic impact of nearly €190 million, including bonuses.
This performance places Atalanta alongside European clubs specializing in player trading, such as Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Monaco. The acceleration of Atalanta’s model is particularly evident in recent transfer activity, with half of the club’s eight most profitable sales occurring in the last twelve months. Palestra, a product of the club’s youth academy, leads this recent surge with a €57 million profit.
Højlund follows closely with a €53.2 million gain for the club. Teun Koopmeiners’ transfer to Juventus generated a profit exceeding €44 million, while Mateo Retegui’s sale to Al-Qadsiah for €61.75 million resulted in a profit of approximately €42 million. Atalanta also anticipate around €40 million from Éderson and approximately €30 million from Ademola Lookman, who moved to Atlético Madrid. This consistent ability to identify and develop talent has solidified Atalanta’s position as a selling club, allowing them to reinvest in their squad and maintain a competitive edge.
Atalanta’s success in the transfer market provides a strong financial foundation for continued growth and potential challenges to established European powers.
