Atletico Madrid News
Barcelona keen to incude out-of-favour defender in operation for Atletico Madrid star
Memphis Depay’s move to Atletico Madrid may have been a bargain deal on paper, but there was a deeper implication engrained into the details of the agreement.
As a virtue of the Dutchman’s move to the Civitas Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid gave the Blaugrana institution a chance to snap up Yannick Carrasco for a bargain fee in the summer. Given Barcelona’s concerning economic situation, it appears to be an offer they will not pass.
The Catalans will need to part ways with only €15-20 million to secure the Belgian’s services in June. According to reports from SPORT, Barcelona are looking to further lower that figure by including USMNT star Sergino Dest in the deal.
The Blaugrana right-back is spending the season on loan at AC Milan after being deemed an outcast by Xavi Hernandez. He has not seen much luck in Italy either, making just eight appearances and two starts in Serie A all season and no goal contributions to show.
World Cup winner Nahuel Molina is the only reliable right-back available to Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. Matt Doherty was signed in January on a six-month deal and is unlikely to remain at the club beyond that.
Thus, the proposition of signing another player for the understaffed position would thus appeal to Los Rojiblancos. And, Dest could be a solution for the club, who have had some degree of interest in him in the past.
Yet, it remains to be seen how much discount the club are willing to offer for Dest’s inclusion. After all, the USMNT defender has seen a steep fall in value over the past two years and is still a raw talent.
Carrasco, meanwhile, has been invaluable to Simeone this season, featuring 26 times in La Liga with three goals and an assist. He has also created four big chances and averages 1.1 key passes per game.
The Belgian international, however, has his heart set on a move to Barcelona. But with Atletico Madrid not in the mood to negotiate a lower fee, it remains to be seen if they accept Dest as a makeweight in the operation.
The negotiation war between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid is gearing up to be a cracker for the summer.
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.
