Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid slap €40 million price tag on striker after Sevilla make late approach
Stability is a word that can not be found in Alvaro Morata’s dictionary. Throughout his long career, the Spaniard has never found a club to settle at and has been on the constant move from one league to another.
Ahead of the 2022-23 season, it seemed set that the striker would play for Atletico Madrid. In his first league appearance this season, he scored two goals and helped his team to a 3-0 win over Getafe. Yet, his future at the Civitas Metropolitano is far from secure.
According to journalist Sergio Fernandez Sevilla held talks with Atletico Madrid to sign Morata on Tuesday. However, the negotiations did not proceed in the right direction.
The Seville-based side were serious about signing the forward and asked Diego Simeone’s side about his situation. However, Los Rojiblancos demanded a fee of €40 million for Morata’s services, a figure that was impossible for Sevilla to reach.
This is not the first time that Sevilla have tried to sign the Spaniard. In 2019, when the striker was looking for an exit from Chelsea, Los Nervionenses tried to lure him to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Ironically, they lost the race to Atletico Madrid because of financial shortcomings.
As it stands, the 29-year-old’s contract with Los Colchoneros ends in June 2024. It was initially speculated that he would move out on loan again this season, but his renewed relationship with Simeone has helped him earn a second chance at the Spanish capital.
In three league games so far, Morata has played 236 minutes, scoring two goals in the process. Needless to say, he will likely continue as the first-choice striker for the club this season.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
