Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid agree deal in principle with Premier League club to offload defender
In a major development, Atletico Madrid have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Premier League club Nottingham Forest to offload Renan Lodi.
As reported by journalist Jacque Talbot, Nottingham Forest and Atletico Madrid have shaken hands on a loan deal with an option to make the Brazilian defender’s transfer permanent next summer.
The Rojiblancos will receive a loan fee of €5 million for Lodi and would stand to pocket a further €30 million if Nottingham Forest decide to make his transfer permanent next summer.
Lodi has been with Atletico Madrid for a little over three years now, having joined the club in 2019 from Athletico Paranaense in his homeland. He has made 118 appearances for the Colchoneros so far, racking up six goals and 11 assists.
However, the 24-year-old has fallen behind Reinildo Mandava in the pecking order in Diego Simeone’s plans, which has forced him to consider a move away, especially with the FIFA World Cup coming up later this year.
There had been talks about a move to Newcastle United while clubs in the French Ligue 1 had shown some interest. But it is Nottingham Forest who seem to have clinched the signing of Lodi.
Talks had been progressing over the past week and an agreement in principle has been reached now. Jacque Talbot also adds that the Premier League club are now in talks with Lodi to agree personal terms before a deal can be finalised.
Once they offload the Brazilian, Simeone’s side might dip into the market for a new left-back, with former Real Madrid star Sergio Reguilon being linked with a move to the Civitas Metropolitano.
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.
