Atletico Madrid News
Arsenal, Newcastle best placed to sign Atletico Madrid target with €30m release clause
Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid has generated a lot of excitement in his breakthrough campaign with the club. The 18-year-old right-back has attracted a lot of interest from several clubs, with Atletico Madrid also said to be among his admirers.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, it is Arsenal and Newcastle United who are the best placed to secure the services of the teenage defender and could beat Atletico to his capture.
Fresneda started out at the Real Madrid youth academy before moving to Leganes and subsequently to Valladolid, where he has broken into the first-team setup.
The 18-year-old full-back made his senior debut last season, but has gained greater prominence at Valladolid this season, featuring 11 times across all competitions thus far, catching the eye with his impressive displays.
It has attracted the interest of clubs from within Spain and outside. Atletico Madrid, for their part, are said to have been monitoring Fresneda for a long time and their interest in signing him was known since last season itself.
With Nahuel Molina being the only natural right-back at Diego Simeone’s disposal, Los Colchoneros would benefit from incorporating another player in the position, so that the manager could revert to using Marcos Llorente higher up the pitch.
Fresneda, to that end, would have been a handy signing. However, as per the report, the 18-year-old seems bound for the Premier League, with Arsenal and Newcastle United emerging as the best-placed teams to land him.
It is claimed that the youngster’s agents will be flying to England to hold further talks and finalise a move. Fresneda’s contract with Valladolid runs until 2025 and has a release clause worth €30 million, but a deal could be done for a lower fee.
So, as things stand, despite their long-standing interest in the young Spaniard, Atletico Madrid look set to miss out on Fresneda.
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.
