Atletico Madrid News
Arsenal among four Premier League clubs vying to sign €30 million Atletico Madrid ace
With the January transfer window less than two weeks away, Atletico Madrid could be a hubbub of activity. The Colchoneros are in an iffy situation financially and need to make some sales in order to balance the books.
Joao Felix looks certain to leave after falling out with manager Diego Simeone. Out-of-favour defender Felipe also looks bound for the exit doors come January. Another player who is believed to be on his way out from the Civitas Metropolitano is Matheus Cunha.
The Brazilian signed for Atletico Madrid only last year, arriving from German outfit Hertha BSC. However, he did not have the best of debut seasons, and he has also struggled to make much of an impact in this campaign either.
So far in 2022/23, Cunha has played 17 matches in all competitions without scoring a single goal while managing just two assists. No longer a regular starter in Simeone’s side, Atletico Madrid are ready to part ways with him.
And, according to SPORT, as many as four Premier League clubs are vying to sign the Brazilian centre-forward.
Wolves have been the most strongly linked with a move for Cunha and talks have been held with Atleti about a possible swoop. Julen Lopetegui’s side are intent on signing a new striker and have made the Atletico ace as their priority.
However, of late, Leeds United have made their presence felt in the race for the 23-year-old’s signing as well. A move to Elland Road could appeal to Cunha as he would have a leading role under Jesse Marsch.
Aston Villa, led by new manager Aston Villa, are also said to be pursuing the signing of Cunha, while the latest team to join the race are Arsenal.
Following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, the Premier League leaders are intent on signing a new striker to ensure that their title challenge does not go off the rails. Cunha, to that end, has emerged as a viable target.
Atletico Madrid, for their part, would be willing to sanction a sale for a fee of around €30 million as per the report.
Whether any of the aforementioned four teams are successful in their pursuit of Cunha next month will be interesting to see. For now, though, all signs point towards a move to the Premier League for the Brazilian.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
