Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid targeting summer move for Norwich midfielder, West Ham also in race
According to reports from Daily Mirror (h/t Atletico Universe), Norwich midfielder Gabriel Sara is a target for Atletico Madrid in the summer. Los Rojiblancos must battle it out with interest from the Premier League to win the Brazilian’s signature, as West Ham are also interested.
The 23-year-old midfielder began his professional career in Brazil with Sao Paulo and made his senior debut in 2017. He went on to play 114 games for the South American side, scoring 17 goals in the process.
In July last year, Norwich signed the youngster in a deal involving a €6.7 million base fee. He debuted in the Premier League less than a month after his move and even scored his first goal for the club against Preston North End.
The 23-year-old has become a mainstay for the Canaries ever since, starting 21 games and making 30 appearances in the English League so far. In that duration, he has scored five goals and provided four assists.
To say that Sara’s first season in Europe is a success would be an understatement, for there are already a host of clubs hoping to lure him away come June.
The player best performs as an advanced midfielder, hovering in the spaces behind the forwards. He averages 1.7 key passes per game in the league and has created five big chances for his side. Further, he averages over five defensive actions per game.
The Brazilian’s contract with Norwich does not run out until the summer of 2026. His long-term deal with the Yellows would likely impart a hefty price tag, especially given his consistent performances on the field.
Diego Simeone’s side could use fresh legs in the midfield for next season, and Sara is one of the names prioritised. However, it remains to be seen if the club can convince him to leave England and pay the figure Norwich demands.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid to rival Inter, AC Milan and Roma for 23-year-old centre-forward
Atletico Madrid are set to enter the market for another striker in the summer transfer window even though they signed Memphis Depay in January from Barcelona.
And according to Italian journalist Giacomo Iacobellis, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing 23-year-old striker Mateo Retegui, who is also on the radars of AC Milan, Inter and AS Roma.
Retegui, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, also has Italian citizenship and has recently been called up by Roberto Mancini to the national team squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The 23-year-old striker is currently plying his trade for Argentine outfit Tigre, on loan from Boca Juniors, having joined in February last year. He has made a solid impression so far in his time with his temporary club and has six goals in seven league appearances this season so far.
It has alerted Atletico Madrid, who are on the lookout for a new centre-forward. Depay was brought in earlier this year to replace Joao Felix, who left on loan and is likely to be sold permanently to Chelsea in the summer.
Having lost Matheus Cunha as well during the winter, Diego Simeone’s side do not have great depth up top, especially with Alvaro Morata not performing consistently. Hence, a new centre-forward could arrive at the Civitas Metropolitano, with Retegui emerging as an option.
Retegui’s loan deal runs until the end of this year, with Tigre having the option to make the transfer permanent. His contract with Boca Juniors expires at the end of December 2024.
Apart from Atletico, Italian clubs like AS Roma, AC Milan and Inter Milan are also keen on the 23-year-old and it remains to be seen if Retegui moves to Europe come summer.
