Pierluigi Gollini set to leave Aston Villa for Atalanta
Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is set to leave Villa and join Atalanta on an extended loan deal.
The 21-year-old, a £4.25million signing from Hellas Verona last summer, began the season as the club's No.1 but has recently fallen out of favour, with boss Steve Bruce bringing in Sam Johnstone from Manchester United on loan earlier this month.
"We thought it was a good deal to have him out there and playing," said Bruce. "The one thing we didn't want him doing was sitting around on the bench.
"He has gone out there for 18 months and obviously he is still our player. We will keep monitoring him. Playing is the big thing for him.
"It was a bit early at Villa for him and he is only 21, a young 21. We will keep tabs on him and see what he gets up to."
Gollini, who is contracted until 2020, is now poised to return to Italy in a deal which could see him stay at Atalanta until the end of this season and the whole of next.
