Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid keeping tabs on Serie A defender called the ‘next de Ligt’
The defensive instability within the Atletico Madrid rank is pretty much evident this season. After all, the team from the capital city kept just three clean sheets across all competitions in the month of October, where they played nine games.
This mentioned vulnerability is caused by the fact that the team does not really have a starting pair this season. To begin with, 33-year-old Felipe Augusto Monteiro hasn’t done much while Mario Hermoso has lost the trust of his manager.
Furthermore, Jose Maria Gimenez and Stefan Savic have been extremely prone to injuries this season, forcing the team to use Axel Witsel as a central defender.
It seems Diego Simeone was vigilant about the issue at hand during the previous transfer market itself. Back then, the availability of Arsenal’s William Saliba was inquired about, but nothing concrete transpired.
And now, many options are being considered, including Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez, but the veteran defender is said to be favouring a move to Barcelona instead.
In turn, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo is claiming that the search has taken Atletico Madrid all the way to Italy, where they are scouting a certain Perr Schuurs who plying his trade with Torino.
Schuurs, 22, was termed the ‘new De Ligt’ early on in his career due to his physical stature and in-game similarities with the current Bayern Munich defender. And since both defenders came through Ajax’s famed academy, comparisons were inevitable.
For now, getting Schuurs out of Torino would be difficult, mostly because he only joined the Italian team in August 2022 and has a contract with them until 2026.
On top of that, he is also been watched by Liverpool, who are considering him as a natural successor of Virgil van Dijk, mostly because despite being just 22, he stands 6’2” tall, is known for his tactical reading of the game and is a very powerful presence in the air.
For now, Schuurs’ name is being followed by Atletico, but it remains to be seen whether or not they will make an official approach in the future.
Sofyan Amrabat is a player in demand, with the midfielder reportedly a top target for various clubs during the January transfer window, as confirmed by his brother.
However, Atletico Madrid are also keeping tabs on the Moroccan international, with the club said to be interested in bringing him to Wanda Metropolitano.
According to Foot Mercato, Amrabat is keen on moving to La Liga, and Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs that he admires. The midfielder had previously praised Atleti boss Diego Simeone, further fueling speculation of a potential move to the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid’s interest in Amrabat comes in the midst of uncertainty over the future of Axel Witsel.
The Fiorentina star could be a possible replacement for the Belgian midfielder, whose contract at the club expires at the end of the season, with his father hinting at a possible exit.
However, Atleti would face competition from Barcelona in the pursuit of Amrabat, who appears to be prioritising a move to Camp Nou. The Moroccan international could potentially become an excellent alternative for Barça’s top target, Martin Zubimendi.
However, Fiorentina is unlikely to let the midfielder go cheaply, and Barcelona would have to sort out their economic situation to afford him.
That is where Atletico Madrid might look to get ahead of the Catalans. Although the Spanish giants are also struggling with finances, they may still be able to swoop in and secure the services of the Fiorentina star come the end of the season.
It is too early to deduce anything just yet. A lot will be uncovered as we enter the final phase of the season. Amrabat himself will be keen on making a definitive decision on his future, as he looks to take the next step in his career.
