What happened: Atalanta are closing in on a deal to sign Croatian Under-19 centre back Ljubo Puljic from FC Bayern II, according to Fabrizio Romano. The two sides have agreed a four-year contract that also includes a one-year option to extend. Puljic would move from Bayern Munich's reserve setup to the Serie A club.

Why it matters: The signing fits Atalanta's well-established model of recruiting young talent and developing it for the first team or a future sale. Adding a highly rated U19 defender deepens the club's center-back pipeline as it continues to reshape its squad. Securing the player on a long contract with an extension option protects Atalanta's investment if he develops as hoped.

What to watch: Watch for official confirmation from Atalanta and Bayern, along with details on whether Puljic is initially integrated with the senior squad or the youth setup. The structure of any future buy-back or sell-on terms will also be worth tracking.