Mario Pasalic set for permanent Chelsea exit

Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic is set to leave Chelsea on a permanent basis with Atalanta due to trigger the buy-clause in his loan contract.

The 25-year-old initially joined the Serie A side on loan last season and his performances convinced the club to renew the temporary deal for another year.

In December 2019, Atalanta managed to agree on a buy option worth £13.5m with the Blues and Fabrizio Romano claims that the club will now trigger the clause to sign him permanently.

Pasalic was recruited by the Blues from Hajduk Split for £3m in the summer of 2014 and they are set to sell him for a profit of more than £10m without him having represented them.

The midfielder has made 74 appearances for Atalanta across all competitions during the past two years. He has contributed 15 goals and 13 assists in the process.

The Serie A outfit are on course to make the Champions League for the second season running. They are currently three points ahead of fifth-placed AS Roma with a game in hand and a 20 goal difference.