Atletico Madrid News
29-year-old striker set to continue at Atletico Madrid after winning over Simeone
After a two-year long loan stint at Juventus, Alvaro Morata returned to Atletico Madrid earlier this summer. His arrival was considered only an intermediate step before his seemingly imminent departure from the club.
However, the tables have now turned. According to reports from Cadena SER, the striker’s attitude has convinced both Diego Simeone and the dressing room.
The manager now trusts the player so much that he is ready to give Morata a starting spot in the team for the league opener at the weekend.
The 29-year-old first moved to Wanda Metropolitano on loan from Chelsea in the 2019-20 season. After his seemingly successful stint in Spain, Atletico made his move permanent in the summer of 2020.
Since then, however, Morata has not donned the red-and-white colours. He was immediately sent on a two-season long loan to Italy, where he shone under Massimiliano Allegri
The Spaniard’s sudden departure from the club was later revealed to be because of a rift between him and Diego Simeone. However, they duo seem to have buried the hatchet now.
With the differences between the player and manager settled, Los Rojiblancos need not look far to find their striker for the upcoming season. While Matheus Cunha is indeed a viable option, Morata’s experience could be enough to warrant a starting spot.
Last season, the striker scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 35 Serie A appearances. He scored a further two goals in the UEFA Champions League and one in the Coppa Italia.
The Nerazzurri were interested in loaning Morata for one more season, but Atletico Madrid have maintained that they count on the player and do not intend to sell him this summer.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
