Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Manchester City battling for 18-year-old Serie A defensive prodigy
As reported by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City are interested in raiding Serie A side Atalanta for the signing of teenage defender Giorgio Scalvini.
The 18-year-old is a product of the Atalanta youth academy and has been on the club’s books since 2015. Having made his senior debut in October last year, Scalvini has since featured 25 times for La Dea, bagging two goals in the process.
He has played four times this term and netted a solitary goal, which came as a winner against AS Roma just prior to the international break. A centre-back by trade, Scalvini can also play as a defensive midfielder and is held in very high regard in Italy.
And it seems like both Atletico Madrid and Manchester City have been impressed by the bags of potential he possesses. So much so that, the report states that Los Rojiblancos already asked Atalanta about the 18-year-old Scalvini back in August this year.
While it led to nothing, the La Liga heavyweights are continuing to follow up on the Italian prospect and are not prepared to give up on their interest in him as of yet.
Given the injury struggles of Jose Maria Gimenez and the age of Felipe and Stefan Savic, Diego Simeone’s side need to inject some new blood into their defensive line and someone like Scalvini can be an asset for the present and the future.
What makes him an even more attractive prospect is that the youngster will be out of contract at the end of the current season. But with Manchester City also interested in signing Scalvini, Atletico could have a tough time landing the defender, who has already earned one cap for the Italian national team.
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.
