Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona eyeing summer move for out-of-favour Chelsea star
Signing a player with a good record in the league is an idea that seldom fails. After all, Europe’s top five leagues all have very different playing styles and approaches, and experience is key.
According to reports from The Telegraph, Atletico Madrid are considering signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the summer. The striker may not be favoured at Chelsea, but his statistics and recent spell in La Liga show that the Gabonese striker can make it big in Spain.
Los Rojiblancos tried to sign the striker in January but FIFA rules blocked a potential transfer. They will return in his pursuit in June, but face stiff competition in Barcelona and AC Milan.
Aubameyang joined Barcelona in last year’s winter transfer window and was one of the pioneering forces in the Catalan march in the second half of 2021-22. In 17 league games, he scored 11 goals and provided one assist in addition to creating three big chances.
He left Barcelona for Chelsea after Robert Lewandowski’s arrival in Spain. However, his spell in London has been underwhelming.
The striker has been removed from Chelsea’s squad list for the UEFA Champions League to accommodate the club’s new signings. After such a development, it is difficult to see him continue in England and a move in June is expected.
His contract in London runs out in 2024, and negotiations between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea could progress smoothly. However, it is not known whether the move will be a direct transfer or an exchange involving Joao Felix who is currently on loan with the Blues.
Aubameyang will fight it out with Alvaro Morata for a starting spot at tge Civitas Metropolitano if the transfer goes through. The big hurdle, however, is the interest of Barcelona and the striker’s deep desire to return to Spotify Camp Nou.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid monitoring teenage striker with €40 million release clause – Romano
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid are among the clubs monitoring the progress of UD Almeria striker Marciano Sanca.
The 19-year-old Guinea-Bissau forward joined Almeria from Portuguese outfit Leixoes in January last year, linking up with the club’s B team.
Marciano has made three league appearances Almeria’s reserve team and has not scored a goal yet. The teenager has been training with the first-team setup regularly and Romano claims that he is close to making his debut in La Liga.
While he might not have made a splash at the senior level yet, Marciano seems to be already gathering admirers with Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Brighton & Hove Albion said to be tracking the youngster.
Los Rojiblancos are set to enter the market for a new centre-forward as Joao Felix is expected to be sold permanently while Alvaro Morata’s future is also not entirely certain.
So even though Diego Simeone has Memphis Depay, Angel Correa, and Morata at his disposal, Atletico Madrid will dive into the market for a new striker with there being links to Mateo Retegui of Boca Juniors, currently on loan at Tigre.
Now, Marciano has also emerged as a potential target or Atletico Madrid, although signing him will not be easy in the summer.
Even though the 19-year-old’s contract expires in 2024, he is bound by a release clause worth €40 million and Almeria intend to keep him at the club beyond this season.
So, the La Liga club might hold out for the entire release clause amount in order to stave off potential suitors like Atletico Madrid, who are not in a position to make such an investment on an unproven youngster.
