Atalanta Signing Rowe Targets England Call-Up After €40m Bologna Move

New Atalanta winger Rowe has identified an England call-up as a central ambition after completing his reported €40 million switch from Bologna, with the club’s recent record in Europe helping persuade him to move to Bergamo.

Key takeaways

• Rowe joined Atalanta from Bologna at the end of the summer transfer window in a deal reported to be worth €40 million.
• The winger said playing for England has been a childhood target and described the move as an important career step.
• Atalanta recruited Rowe while reshaping their forward line following Ademola Lookman’s move to Atletico Madrid.
• Lookman spoke positively about the club when he met Rowe during the summer, but the new signing rejected comparisons between their playing styles.
• Head coach Maurizio Sarri’s reputation, experience and tactical approach were significant factors in Rowe’s decision.

England target behind Rowe’s Atalanta move

Speaking at his introductory press conference on Thursday, Rowe said he had no hesitation in confirming that a senior international debut is firmly in his thoughts. “One hundred per cent,” he said when asked about the prospect of being selected by England.

“It has been a dream since I was a young boy. You need to make the correct moves in your career to get to those objectives.”

Rowe pointed to Atalanta’s progress in continental competition in recent seasons as a key attraction. The club’s European success, he said, made the decision to join easier as he looks to establish himself at a higher level and put himself in contention for England selection.

The forward arrives as Atalanta seek a response to Lookman’s departure for Atletico Madrid. While Rowe had sought the former Atalanta attacker’s view of the club, he insisted he was not arriving to reproduce Lookman’s role.

Rowe said he met Lookman while on holiday during the summer and received an encouraging assessment of life in Bergamo. “He only had positive things to say about the club,” Rowe explained, adding that the conversation strengthened his desire to complete the transfer once negotiations developed.

However, he stressed that the two players should be judged on their own merits. Lookman has his own strengths, Rowe said, while he intends to contribute his own qualities as Atalanta pursue their objectives this season.

Sarri influence and next steps

Rowe also singled out Sarri as an important influence on his move. The winger praised the coach’s standing in the game, his record and his footballing ideas, saying he believes he can develop under the Italian’s guidance.

“Sarri is an excellent coach,” Rowe said. “He has huge experience and is widely respected in football. He has achieved a lot, and his ideas are outstanding. I feel I can achieve good things working under him.”

He declined to discuss reports of personal tensions surrounding his Bologna exit, preferring to focus on adapting to his new surroundings. His immediate task will be to settle into Sarri’s system before Atalanta resume their Serie A and Champions League campaigns.

Consistent domestic form and strong performances in Europe would strengthen Rowe’s case as he pursues the first senior England cap he has wanted since childhood.