Jonathan Rowe left out by Bologna as Atalanta transfer push intensifies

Jonathan Rowe has been left out of Bologna’s squad for Monday’s Serie A meeting with Atalanta as uncertainty over the winger’s future intensifies in the final days of the transfer window.

Bologna head coach Domenico Tedesco confirmed on Sunday that the 23-year-old will not travel to Bergamo, saying Rowe had not appeared sufficiently settled ahead of a fixture against the club pushing hardest to sign him.

“I saw that Rowe was not very serene, so I decided to leave him at home,” Tedesco said during his pre-match press conference.

The decision represents the clearest sign yet that the transfer situation is beginning to affect Rowe’s immediate role at Bologna.

Atalanta have already had two proposals rejected for the England Under-21 international.

Their opening offer was worth around €30million before a second bid was increased to €35m plus bonuses, but Bologna maintained that they did not want to lose another important first-team player after already sanctioning significant departures earlier in the summer.

Atalanta have not withdrawn their interest.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Sunday could prove decisive in determining whether the Bergamo club return with another attempt, with Rowe still regarded as one of their principal targets for the attacking wide positions.

Reports suggesting a potential €40m operation have intensified, although no new proposal at that figure has yet been confirmed by a primary source.

That distinction remains important.

Atalanta’s interest is concrete and multiple bids have been submitted, but there is still no agreement between the clubs and Bologna have not formally opened the door to a sale.

Rowe’s position could nevertheless alter the dynamic.

Italian reports indicate that the winger has expressed a desire to leave, while Tedesco’s decision to remove him from the squad suggests Bologna are now managing both a transfer negotiation and the effect it is having on the player.

The timing adds another layer to the situation.

Bologna travel to Atalanta on Monday night, meaning Rowe has been omitted specifically from a match against the club attempting to sign him. The transfer window then enters its final stretch, leaving limited time for Bologna either to reach an agreement or reintegrate the player fully if the move collapses.

Atalanta are also assessing alternatives.

Samuel Mbangula has emerged as another concrete option, while Alexis Saelemaekers has also been discussed, although Milan have not shown willingness to open negotiations for the Belgian.

For Bologna, the key question is now whether Atalanta are prepared to move significantly beyond their rejected €35m-plus-bonuses proposal.

For Rowe, the immediate consequence is already clear: while his future is being decided, he will not be involved when Bologna face the club trying to take him to Bergamo.