Atletico Madrid News
€35-40 million-rated Atletico Madrid, Arsenal target keen on joining Juventus
Alexis Mac Allister was one of the key performers for Argentina as they lifted the FIFA World Cup 2022 earlier this month in Qatar. On the back of his displays for his national team, the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has become a man in demand in the transfer market.
Indeed, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Atletico Madrid are among the suitors of the 24-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion star, along with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Juventus.
Mac Allister had signed a new contract with Brighton, committing his future to the Premier League side until the summer of 2025.
However, following his exploits in Qatar, where he scored a goal and got an assist in the final against France, the attacking midfielder is very much likely to move on to a bigger club at the next immediate chance.
Atletico Madrid have had their eye on Mac Allister and can do with a player like him considering that the likes of Thomas Lemar and Saul Niguez have been inconsistent and poor this season.
The Argentine ace has scored five goals in 14 Premier League appearances and can provide an additional source of goals for Diego Simeone’s side, who have struggled in the final third this season.
However, as per the aforementioned report, Mac Allister is currently leaning towards joining Juventus. It is stated that the 24-year-old is intrigued by the prospect of playing in Italy and would prefer to move to the Allianz Stadium, putting the Bianconeri in the lead.
This development will come as a blow for Atletico Madrid along with the midfielder’s other suitors. Valued at around €35-40 million, Mac Allister has the possibility to be a good addition to any club he signs for and Juventus could now land the 24-year-old World Cup winner.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
