Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid star could consider summer exit, hints father: “He wants to play”
Speaking to RBTF (h/t Fabrizio Romano), Thierry Witsel, the father of Atletico Madrid star Axel Witsel, has claimed that the midfielder could consider leaving the club if his game-time does not improve.
Witsel arrived at Atletico Madrid last summer, joining as a free agent after his contract with Borussia Dortmund expired.
The veteran Belgian signed a one-year contract with the club with an option for another twelve months which was triggered after he made a certain number of appearances for the Rojiblancos this term.
However, of late, Witsel has not been playing all too regularly under Diego Simeone, starting just one of Atletico’s last six La Liga matches.
Given the situation, the player does not seem to be too happy according to his father, and could consider an exit if things do not improve.
“Axel didn’t live well with being benched, he wants to play — he trains at top level. Axel has requested a meeting with Simeone as he’s not happy,” Thierry Witsel said.
“If he doesn’t play enough, we will consider other options.”
Witsel has played 30 times across all competitions for Atletico Madrid, registering one assist in the process. Simeone has used him at centre-back on occasions, especially in the first half of the campaign, when he demonstrated good levels.
While his contract may have been extended until 2024, it remains to be seen whether Witsel fulfills it or decides to jump on a new adventure in the summer.
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.
