Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid have no intention of selling Manchester United target in January – Romano
Despite Jan Oblak’s form falling off a cliff last season, he arguably remains one of Atletico Madrid’s most important players.
Especially during a time when Atleti’s typically resilient defence has been faltering, the Slovenian shotstopper’s presence in the side is unquestionably vital.
However, Manchester United are reportedly attempting to prise away the 29-year-old from the Civitas Metropolitano. A new update from an ever-reliable source has revealed whether a move remains a possibility.
As per the latest information provided by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on The United Stand, Atletico Madrid will do their best to keep Jan Oblak beyond the current season.
There is some uncertainty surrounding the contract situation of the 29-year-old Atletico Madrid. While it is rumoured that he signed a new deal with the club until 2028 in July, an official announcement is yet to be made.
And Romano insists that the deal is not yet signed and contract discussions with the Slovenian are still ongoing. He adds that Los Rojiblancos are ‘super happy’ with their goalkeeper and want to ensure that they keep him at the club.
But if a new deal is yet to be signed, Oblak’s previous contract stands to expire next year. It has given way to rumours of a Manchester United swoop for him as early as January.
Manchester United’s need for a brand-new goalkeeper remains one of the most talked about conversations in European football. Despite David De Gea’s incredible spell at the club, Erik ten Hag is known to want a goalkeeper that is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
With the Spanish international profiling in the mould of an orthodox number one, the Dutchman’s progressive system demands the presence of a modern goalkeeper, above everything else.
Considering de Gea’s inability to morph his game in order to fit the said style of play, and his current contract expiring in 2023, there have been talks of a new goalkeeper coming in, with a January move for Oblak being touted.
From Atletico Madrid’s perspective, though, as iterated earlier, they are happy with the 29-year-old and are working towards extending his contract at the earliest possible, with Romano adding that they will do their best to ensure that he stays put at the club.
After all, the experienced campaigner has been one of the best players in his position, since his arrival back in 2014. With Oblak also being the vice-captain of the club, it is unlikely that they will sanction such a senior player’s sale in 2023
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.
