Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid defender wanted by Premier League club, €5 million loan fee proposed
A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered an update on the future of Renan Lodi.
The left-back is one of the few Atletico Madrid players who are facing an uncertain future at the Civitas Metropolitano as we head into the final week of the ongoing summer transfer window.
The report suggests Renan Lodi has become a subject of interest for Nottingham Forest. The Premier League outfit, who have emerged as one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market this summer, are eyeing a loan move for the defender.
Nottingham have brought in no less than 16 new players in the summer. However, it appears coach Steve Cooper is keen on roping in an experienced left-back, despite signing Omar Richards and Harry Toffolo earlier in the summer.
Lodi has been identified as the ideal target, with Nottingham ready to fork out a €5 million loan fee for the defender. The Premier League outfit further want to include an option to sign him permanently at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Although Lodi has a release clause of €60 million, Atletico Madrid are open to sanctioning the sale of the left-back if they receive a figure of around €40 million.
It remains to be seen if Nottingham Forest are willing to meet an amount that high, but the English outfit are not the only club targeting Lodi in this final week of the transfer market.
As per GOAL, OGC Nice were the other club to have explored the possibility of signing the Atleti left-back on a loan deal. The French giants were even willing to fork out a €4 million fee, but their offer was reportedly rejected by Los Colchoneros.
Lodi was interested in a move to a top club like Juventus in the past, but it appears the left-back may have to settle for a switch to Nottingham Forest if he does want to leave Atletico Madrid in the coming days.
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.
