Atalanta has officially announced the departure of their record signing, El Bilal Toure, to Turkish Süper Lig club Besiktas. The forward joins on a loan deal which includes an option to buy, potentially becoming an obligation based on specific performance clauses.
The 23-year-old striker made history as Atalanta`s most expensive acquisition, arriving from LaLiga`s Almería in summer 2023 for a reported sum exceeding €30 million. This significant investment coincided with Rasmus Højlund`s record-breaking transfer from Atalanta to Manchester United.
Despite the hefty transfer fee paid two summers ago, Toure finds himself on loan for the second consecutive season. Both clubs have confirmed that his move to Besiktas involves a loan with an option to make the transfer permanent, which could become an obligation depending on certain sporting achievements.
Toure`s tenure in Bergamo has been marred by challenges. Shortly after his arrival, a severe hamstring injury sidelined him for the initial part of the 2023-24 season, keeping him off the pitch until February. After scoring two goals in 11 Serie A matches during the latter half of that campaign, he spent the 2024-25 season on loan with VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, where he managed two goals in 12 appearances.