Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid have a pre-agreement with 19-year-old La Liga defender – report
According to Javi Miguel of AS, Atletico Madrid already have reached a pre-agreement with Girona defender Arnau Martinez over a transfer in the summer window.
Martinez, 19, has made quite the name for himself in his debut season in La Liga. A former trainee of Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy, the young right-back left the Catalan giants in 2016. After two years in L’Hospitalet, the full-back moved to Girona, where he made his first-team breakthrough.
Martinez enjoyed a solid season last time out, helping Girona earn promotion to La Liga. And the teenage defender has been a hit in his debut campaign in the Spanish top flight, notching up a return of three goals and two assists from 23 league matches.
Martinez had been linked heavily with a move back to Barcelona in the past, but as per the aforementioned report, the Catalan giants have their sights on Villarreal’s Juan Foyth now. Whereas, the 19-year-old Girona ace has reportedly reached a pre-agreement with Atletico.
The Rojiblancos had held talks with Girona over the possibility of signing Martinez in the past. Reports had even suggested that the Spanish capital club had even tabled an offer for the teenager, who is understood to have a €20 million release clause in his contract.
Atletico Madrid roped in Nahuel Molina in the summer to reinforce the right-back slot, but he has not been nearly consistent enough.
Meanwhile, Matt Doherty, who was signed from Tottenham in January, has hardly played for the Rojiblancos. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it will not come as a surprise to see the Irishman leave.
It would create a vacancy for a new right-back, and all signs are pointing towards Martinez being the player to fill that void. It remains to be seen whether there is indeed a pre-agreement between Atletico and the teenager and if the move does go through come summer.
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.
