Pierluigi Gollini moves on from crisis-hit Aston Villa
Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is the latest player to leave Villa as the club’s hierarchy attempt to plot a course through their financial storm.
The 23-year-old Italian has completed an expected £3.75million move to Atalanta, where he had spent the past 18 months on loan. Several more high-profile stars are likely to follow as Villa try to balance the books.
The club’s board were today due to hold a conference call, chaired by owner Tony Xia from Beijing, to thrash out a summer strategy. Xia is expected to demand a significant cut to the playing budget and wage bill, and player sales seem inevitable.
Technical director Steve Round and fellow director Tracy Gu were due to be present, and chief commercial officer Luke Organ and Rongtian He, Xia’s executive assistant. It is thought Steve Bruce will not be there, but his future may be discussed.
HMRC threatened the club with a winding-up order over an unpaid £4.2million tax bill. Xia was able to reach agreement with the authorities and stave off the immediate threat of administration.
