Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Tottenham interested in signing Serie A defender for free in the summer
Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij is set to become a hot commodity in the summer transfer window as he will become a free agent at the end of the season. And, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have shown an interest in signing the 30-year-old.
This claim comes from Dutch publication Voetbal International, who are reporting that the Netherlands international is not considering an exit in the January transfer window, while an extension with Inter Milan is not off the table either.
Atletico Madrid are in the market for defensive reinforcements following their failings at the back this season. Stefan Savic and Jose Maria Gimenez have struggled with injuries while Felipe and Mario Hermoso have been made available for transfers.
With the latter two expected to leave either in January or in the summer, Los Colchoneros need to bring in reinforcements at the back.
An agreement to sign Caglar Soyuncu from Leicester City on a free transfer is reportedly close. And, Diego Simeone’s side could make an attempt to engineer a similar deal for de Vrij as well, although they will have to face competition from Tottenham Hotspur.
The Premier League giants are managed by Antonio Conte, who worked with the Dutchman at Inter Milan. It could count in their favour when the defender comes down to choosing a new destination for himself in the summer.
De Vrij’s agent, Federico Pastorello recently claimed that he expects many offers for the 30-year-old, while also confirming that a January exit was off the table.
“There will be no shortage of offers. Given his age and his thoughtful character, all aspects are important. February, March is a good time to make certain choices. We are absolutely not thinking of leaving in January,” he said.
De Vrij has been with Inter Milan since 2018 and is one of the most reliable centre-backs in Serie A.
A seasoned campaigner who is adept at playing in a back-four or a three-man defensive unit, he would be a top signing for any club. Whether Atletico Madrid make any moves to snap him up next summer will be interesting to see.
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.
