Empoli and the Ukrainian national team forward Bogdan Popov may already change the club for a fee. According to Tuttosport, the 18-year-old striker has reached the sphere of interests of Atalanti, in order to increase the potential for strengthening the attack for the upcoming seasons.

The Italian version of the table highly appreciated the Ukrainians, who called Popov “the new Andriy Shevchenko” - due to his hostile performance and style.

" The club’s plan is to bring in Popov, otherwise lose him to Empoli on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season. The potential transfer amount is 10 million euros, while Transfermarkt estimates the striker at 3 million euros.

According to Italian journalists, the Ukrainian club is considering a possible replacement for Ademoli Lukman, who is heading to Galatasaray. In addition, the unstable form of Nikola Krstovic and Gianluca Scamacca is causing new options in attack.

Popov, in Atalanti’s opinion, will fit well into the team’s style and can develop along a similar trajectory, as Rasmus Goilunn demonstrated in due course.

In the 2025/26 season, the forward has already played 12 matches at the Empoli warehouse and scored five goals. Also a striker and leader of the youth teams of Ukraine - U-19 and U-21. In the leafy selection for Euro 2026 (U-19), he scored two goals and had an assist in three matches.

Empoli is currently in 13th place in Serie B while Atalanta is in 13th place in Serie A.