Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid turn down the chance to sign PSG winger due to two reasons
All of a sudden, Atletico Madrid find themselves in the hunt for a quality winger heading into next season. The confirmed exit of Luis Suarez and the rumoured departure of Angel Correa leaves Diego Simeone with few options in the final third.
The club are looking for a player who can fit into Los Rojiblancos’ style of play with ease, but prefer a young player over a veteran. According to reports from MARCA, Atletico Madrid were offered the signing of Angel Di Maria but rejected the proposal.
The club’s sporting director Andrea Berta was said to be unconvinced of the move mainly because of the player’s age and salary. Moreover, the signing of Samuel Lino also was a big factor in rejecting the Argentine star.
Di Maria made 26 Ligue 1 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain in the recently concluded season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in the process. He averaged 2.1 key passes per game and created a whopping 14 big chances.
His contract in Paris ends in June, and the player has no intention of renewing his deal. Earlier this week, PSG confirmed that their star winger would be leaving as a free agent come the summer transfer window.
At 34 years of age, one would assume that the Argentine’s best years are past him. In addition to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus were offered his services too in recent weeks. However, the Catalans turned down the offer, while the Italians are still said to be having second thoughts.
Samuel Lino is set to arrive at the Wanda Metropolitano in June after completing his six-month loan spell at Gil Vincente. While he is a relatively new name in the European top flight, the manager will back the player to take up responsibility on the wing come next season.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
