In an exclusive interview with Tuttosport, Atalanta's sporting director Giuseppe Riso revealed that Tonali's record transfer fee was earned through his performances on the pitch. He also discussed contract extensions and transfers for players including Cristante, Mancini, Retegui and Frattesi.

GR Sports agency completed 39 transfers and contract extensions during this summer window, including cases involving managers Ivan Jurić and Grosso. Atalanta's sporting director Giuseppe Riso discussed the recently concluded summer transfer period and the current state of Italian football. Among Atalanta's signings were Tonali, Cristante, Mancini, Retegui and Frattesi.

Loan deals, mandatory purchase clauses, sell-on percentages for future sales—is this financial innovation or a sign of financial difficulty?

"Completing a transfer in today's world requires not just practical thinking and careful planning, but also strong creativity. Clubs set constraints for themselves to achieve long-term balance across their entire football system. To comply with these constraints, sometimes you have to take longer and more complex paths. I call this good financial innovation—not something expected to happen immediately, but aimed at recalibrating the system over the medium to long term while respecting these limitations."

If you had to rank the top seven teams from last season, which clubs strengthened and which improved their squads?

"If I were to rank them, everyone would ask me why I ranked six instead of seven... I'd lose half my contacts. Some clubs signed very important players and others did even more, but the transfer market should always be judged after the season ends. By January, someone you think is a star today could become a problem, and someone you think is a problem today could become a star."

Regarding Tonali at Tottenham: How do you feel about securing a record transfer fee for an Italian player?

"Behind an agreement like this are years of hard work. I didn't break any records—Tonali earned this honor through his performances on the pitch. At most, I made a few more phone calls. Tottenham had very clear objectives for Tonali. When a club clearly shows a player that he's their primary target, everything becomes easier."

You said Cristante was destined to become a Roma legend. How has he achieved this?

"That's not about destiny—it's about current reality. Bryan has already become part of Roma's history. To put it more broadly, he's a player who, through his character both on and off the pitch, can make history for the club he plays for."

What did Mancini tell you when Roma decided to extend his contract?

"He told me something very straightforward—'Giuseppe, I want to stay here.' I replied, 'Are you sure? If you're crazy, at least tell me first!' Gianluca made his decision based on his feelings. It's not easy when attractive contract offers come along. He valued his emotions more than how much money he could earn."

Both Frattesi and Pinamonti are playing for Lazio—could you comment on their current situations?

"It's an important moment for both of them. Frattesi needs to become a key player for the team and reclaim the confidence he may have lost recently. He made a brave choice—giving up guaranteed playing time to return to competitive football, which is what matters most to him right now. Pinamonti's situation is similar; he wanted a challenging environment where he could play a significant role. His needs are clear—to feel valued and important."

Retegui transferred to the Premier League for around £40 million (€46 million)—is this a good deal for Atalanta, or further proof that the Premier League is attracting top young talent from Serie A?

"Without a doubt, this is a good deal for Atalanta. But it also shows that if a young player can reach that value in Italy, it means we have quality players in Serie A and we know how to develop them. The fact that they remain in Serie A—especially if their goal is the Premier League (which I often call the NBA of football)—is less important. The Premier League will certainly play a decisive role in their development. Why? Because the Premier League is extremely competitive and will make them stronger to return to the national team. The real challenge for Serie A is creating a good environment so these players can thrive before they're sold."

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