Loko confirm: Miranchuk joins Atalanta - “It is time to realise a dream”

This year's Champions League surprise side Atalanta are in the final stages of signing Aleksey Miranchuk from Lokomotiv Moscow. Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reported on Friday night that Miranchuk will join the Serie A side in a deal worth €14.5 million. 

Update, August 31, 10:00 BST: Lokomotiv Moscow confirmed the transfer on Sunday. Only the medical is yet to be completed. “It is time to realise a dream,” Miranchuk said. The home-grown player made 228 appearances for Loko, in which he was directly involved in 88 goals. “I am not saying goodbye. We will see each other again,” Miranchuk continued.

Transfermarkt can confirm through its own sources that a deal is indeed in the final stages of being agreed upon. According to Di Marzio, Miranchuk will sign a five-year contract in Italy. Transfermarkt has learned that the contract will pay him €2 million a season. Aleksey, who, together with his twin brother Anton, has been a crucial part of the Russian Premier Liga side but has sought a change of scenery for some time.

Nonetheless, Russian sources have voiced their surprise over the reported fee—the attacking midfielder is currently worth €18 million according to Transfermarkt's evaluation. Despite the below market value fee, Miranchuk will become the second most expensive departure in Lokomotiv's history. The current record is held by Oumar Niasse, who joined Everton in a deal worth €17.9 million in February 2016.

Niasse, Ivanovic & Co.: Loko's Record Departures