Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid consider 29-year-old striker ‘untouchable’ amidst Serie A interest
Atletico Madrid are facing a dire shortage of strikers heading into the new season. Though they are very valuable players in Diego Simeone’s dynamics, neither Joao Felix nor Antoine Griezmann offers the killer instinct of a pure number nine.
Alvaro Morata could be the solution to Los Rojiblancos’ problems, but the Spanish striker is in a crisis of his own. Morata does not enjoy the best of relationships with the manager which has seen him pushed out of the team year after year.
However, David G Medina of MARCA reports the contrary. The Spanish journalist says that Atletico Madrid consider Morata ‘untouchable’ at the moment. However, Juventus are pushing hard to sign the player and a departure is not ruled out.
Morata spent the last two years of his career on loan in Turin. In that period, he scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists for the Bianconeri in Serie A and was a regular starter under Massimiliano Allegri.
Last season, the 29-year-old made 32 appearances for the Italian side and recorded 11 goals and nine assists.
When Juventus signed Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina in January, all doors seemed to close for Morata. Yet, he found a way to adapt his game and play alongside the Serbian.
The Bianconeri are now desperate to bring him back to Italy, and one would assume that Simeone’s decision to call Morata an untouchable player is just a means of milking money from the deal.
Yet, it is completely possible that the manager really has the forward in his plans for the season. Earlier this month, Morata spoke about his future and hinted that he would stay at Wanda Metropolitano.
“I’m lucky to have already worked with Simeone and his team and that will make things easier. I can’t wait to start preparing for this season together,” he had said (h/t GOAL).
So, it remains to be seen how this transfer story develops in the coming days as Juventus continue to push to re-sign Morata.
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.
