Atalanta president Antonio Percassi has opened up on Manchester United's nearly year-long negotiations for Amad Diallo.
United agreed a deal to sign the 18-year-old on transfer deadline day for a fee that could rise tio £37.2million, although Diallo will not link up with his new teammates until January.
Percassi recalled how United made their interest in Diallo clear after a UEFA Youth League game between the Bergamo club and Manchester City in 2019, and also discussed how a club of Atalanta's size learned a lot about transfer negotiations at the highest level having spent so long talking to United.
He said: "The negotiation with Manchester United lasted almost a year. The details and scenarios are crazy. Meeting after meeting we learned unimaginable things.
"This leads to the growth of the club and enriches the work of everyone, from the general manager, Umberto Marino, to the entire staff."
Percassi added: "A few days after the Youth League game against Manchester City, the other Manchester contacted us.
"They had followed him, the real negotiation started. We went twice to England. The text of the final agreement is a contractual masterpiece.
"The professionals involved in the operation are of a high level. In terms of negotiations, we have learned a lot.
"And it is above all thanks to Luca’s (Percassi, Atalanta CEO) work that we arrived at the final figures. It was an operation we couldn't refuse.
"If the boy becomes great, we will have recognition for a long time. If he's not lucky, we're protected."
