Last season in Bergamo, Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello denied Gonzalo Higuain from the penalty spot. This season he has already made three saves from 11 metres, as his team looks forward to a trip to the San Paolo this weekend. His outstanding performances between the posts has alerted many clubs; Inter are certainly interested should current number one Handanovic depart but above all, it’s Sunday’s opponents who look to be favourites to land his signature and he could become part of any deal that keeps Alberto Grassi in Bergamo.
 

Sportiello will be the first choice of Napoli Sporting Director Giuntoli next season if Gabriel returns to Milan. The two men have previous after Giuntoli launched the 23-year-old into the big time when he was at Carpi. Now he doesn’t want to waste any more time in bringing him to Napoli, despite other names in the notebook such as Gollini of Verona. The strategy is to take him as vice to Pepe Reina and let the current number one take him under his wing next season, before making him the number one in 2017-18. The vesuviani are ready to offer around €7-8 million which may be a little short of what Atalanta value their player at. But as Napoli thinks about it, Giuntoli guarantees it.

Steve Mitchell @barafundler