Atletico Madrid News
Manchester City rule out the chance to sign Atletico Madrid fullback – Fabrizio Romano
Game time is of utmost importance for any professional footballer, more so this year. The club-level performance of players in the upcoming season will have a direct impact on their role in Qatar.
Needless to say, players will not settle for a bench role. That is what makes Renan Lodi’s situation at Atletico Madrid concerning as the Brazilian is no longer an undisputed starter for the team.
Manchester City were said to be interested in signing the left-back, but Fabrizio Romano has dismissed the possibility. According to the ever-reliable journalist, Lodi was a target for City in July, but talks are not progressing. As it stands, the deal is off.
Pep Guardiola fancied the 24-year-old as the ideal backup to Joao Cancelo after the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko. However, the economics of the deal could be the reason it did not go through.
Los Rojiblancos valued the player on a level similar to Marc Cucurella, who recently moved to Chelsea. The London-based club shelled out close to €70 million for the Spaniard, and Atletico would not settle for less.
Lodi’s contract with the club runs until 2025, putting pressure on the interested party to cough up more money. Moreover, his release clause is set at a whopping €120 million.
As it stands, the Brazilian will continue at Wanda Metropolitano for the upcoming season. He will likely serve as a deputy to Reinildo Mandava at left-back but can also provide an interesting option in the wide midfield.
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.
