Atletico Madrid News
Manchester United end interest in Atletico Madrid striker due to €35 million demands
According to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, Manchester United have ended their interest in Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata as they deem the Spaniard too expensive.
Manchester United are desperately scouring the market for a new centre-forward this summer. To that end, they have been linked with a host of names including three forwards from Atletico Madrid.
Indeed, the Red Devils had their on Matheus Cunha, who flat out rejected their approach.
Following that, Manchester United reportedly lodged a massive €130 million bid for Joao Felix, which was swiftly turned down by the Rojiblancos.
At the same time, the Premier League giants were also exploring the chances of signing Morata, who is back at the Civitas Metropolitano after spending two years on loan at Juventus, after the Bianconeri did not trigger the option to make his transfer permanent.
There were doubts about his future at Atletico and United tried to test the waters with an approach for the striker. However, as per the latest reports, the Premier League club see the former Real Madrid and Chelsea striker as ‘expensive’.
Previous reports from The Athletic claimed that Atletico valued Morata around €35 million, but it seems like Erik ten Hag’s side see that valuation as excessive and have decided to move on to other targets.
Meanwhile, Morata made a positive start to the season at Atletico Madrid, scoring a brace in the season opener against Getafe, although he failed to find the back of the net against Villarreal last time out.
Signed from Chelsea back in January 2019, Morata has made 63 appearances for Atletico Madrid, in which he has a tally of 24 goals and six assists. Both he and manager Diego Simeone will be hoping that the 29-year-old significantly boosts that tally this 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.
