Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid rivalling Chelsea in the race to sign 27-year-old Premier League winger
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea could go head-to-head in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Leandro Trossard, reports the Mirror.
The 27-year-old Belgian international has emerged as one of the top performers from teams outside the Big Six in the Premier League, impressing heavily with his displays for the Seagulls.
In just nine league appearances this term, Trossard has already racked up a tally of five goals and two assists, helping Brighton to seventh place in the table. It has seemingly attracted the attention of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea raided Brighton for manager Graham Potter earlier this season to replace Thomas Tuchel and want to reunite the manager with Trossard at Stamford Bridge as early as January, as Christopher Nkunku would only be arriving next summer.
However, Atletico Madrid have also entered the fray for the signing of the Belgian international. But unlike Chelsea, Los Rojiblancos would want to sign the 27-year-old winger in the summer of 2023, when he will be a free agent.
Indeed, Trossard’s contract with Brighton stands to expire at the end of the season and Atletico want to pounce when that happens. It is claimed that the Colchoneros are operating on a tight budget and will look for free transfer opportunities next year, making the Belgian an appealing target.
However, Trossard has previously expressed his openness to join Potter at Chelsea. “If the opportunity arises, I want to go,” he said when quizzed about the possibility of a move to Stamford Bridge. “But I want to play and not sit on the bench.”
So, in case Chelsea come calling in January itself, Atletico might miss out on the 27-year-old Premier League attacker.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid among clubs weighing up a summer move for €20 million Barcelona defender
Having successfully raided FC Barcelona for the signing of Memphis Depay during the January transfer window, Atletico Madrid could look to bring in another player from Spotify Camp Nou come summer.
Indeed, according to SPORT, Atletico are among clubs who are interested in signing Barcelona ace Sergino Dest, who is currently away on loan at AC Milan.
Dest has been out of favour at Barça since Xavi Hernandez arrived at the club back in November 2021. The USMNT right-back was sent out on loan to Milan last summer so that he can play regularly.
The Rossoneri have the option of signing the ex-Ajax man permanently for €20 million, but are unlikely to take it up as the right-back has largely underwhelmed during his time in Italy, playing just 14 games in all competitions.
But, that has seemingly not deterred clubs in La Liga, including Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly willing to take a punt on Dest in the summer.
As things stand, Atletico have Nahuel Molina as their primary right-back, but the Argentine has not been consistent enough in his debut season at the club.
Matt Doherty arrived on a free transfer from Tottenham in January but has only played 12 minutes so far, indicating where he stands in Diego Simeone’s scheme. So, a new right-back might not entirely be ruled out at the Civitas Metropolitano come summer.
Dest, though, is also attracting interest from Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal, while an unnamed MLS club also want the right-back.
Barcelona, for their part, wish to recoup the €20 million they spent on him almost three years ago, which could become a roadblock for Atletico Madrid if they do indeed pursue the right-back with greater intent.
As things stand, there is just initial interest and there is nothing concrete from Atletico or any clubs. Only time will tell if that changes once Dest returns from his loan spell.
