Atalanta are hopeful of delaying Amad Diallo's departure despite the teenager being poised to join Manchester United this month.
The teenage sensation was signed for £38m back in the summer.
Diallo was allowed to remain with the Serie A outfit for the first half of the season ahead of a January arrival.
The 18-year-old has only made a hand full of first team appearances but is tipped for big things.
After United saw off Aston Villa on New Year's Day manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke about Diallo's imminent arrival.
"Amad, we've had all the paperwork, I can't see any obstacles," he said.
"Hope very soon he will be with us. Very excited to have him in. He'll need time to develop."
Atalanta though will try and persuade the Red Devils to let them keep Diallo for the remainder of the season.
The Italian side are still fighting on all three fronts with a last 16 tie to come against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
And Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini is hopeful of keeping the Ivorian for a little longer.
“There is an internal solution that could be very interesting, which is Amad Diallo. Clearly, Manchester United own him, but he could remain with us for a few more months,” said Gasperini.
“I really like him, he’s only 18, and I’d like him to stay until June, but obviously it depends on his club.”
United have signalled their intent to send Diallo to play with the U23s initially.
It is the same pathway summer signing Facundo Pellistri was sent on and Solskjaer has seen benefit in doing so.
The United boss has given a host of young players the opportunity during his two years at Old Trafford.
Many of those have been homegrown, but Diallo and Pellistri show a willingness to look elsewhere for young talent.
