Atletico Madrid News
€60 million or nothing: Atletico Madrid’s stance on Tottenham target made clear
The final stretch of the transfer window is here, and Atletico Madrid continue to remain in the headlines for various reasons.
Earlier this week, Los Rojiblancos were on the move to secure the signature of Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham Hotspur and were reported to have made rapid progress, after sanctioning a loan exit for Renan Lodi.
Now, the focus turns on Yannick Carrasco. The Belgian International is on the radar of several Premier League clubs, most notably Tottenham, and Los Colchoneros are under pressure to take a stance on his future.
According to reports from MARCA, the Spanish capital club do not have any intention of negotiating the winger’s exit. To all the interested parties, they point to the €60 million release clause and will not accept a dime less.
Carrasco is crucial to Diego Simeone’s plans and has played 153 minutes so far this season in just three La Liga games. It is not surprising that the manager is unwilling to contemplate the Belgian’s transfer.
Last season, the 28-year-old made 34 league appearances for Los Rojiblancos, scoring six goals and providing as many assists in the process. Defensively, he averaged over seven actions per game.
The Belgian’s contract with the club sees him at the Civitas Metropolitano until the summer of 2024. Given that two more years remain on his deal and that he is a regular player under Simeone, Atletico have his situation well under control.
The recent moves of Rodri to Manchester City and Thomas Partey to Arsenal make one believe that Premier League clubs do not mind shelling out a premium for their targets.
Whether the same story repeats itself with Carrasco remains to be seen as Tottenham seem interested in a last-minute swoop for the Belgian international
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.
