Atletico Madrid News
Memphis Depay on his decision to join Atletico Madrid from Barcelona: “I’m very happy”
Memphis Depay left Barcelona to join Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window in a deal worth €3 million plus €1 million in variables.
The Dutchman had fallen out of favour at Camp Nou and decided to move to the Civitas Metropolitano, with the Rojiblancos signing him as a replacement for Joao Felix, who left for Chelsea on loan.
Earlier today, Depay scored his first-ever goal for Atletico Madrid, helping Diego Simeone’s side to an important 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo.
Having come on as a substitute for Alvaro Morata around the hour mark, the Netherlands international scored the only goal of the game in the 89th minute to lead a ten-man Atletico Madrid side to a win.
Speaking after the game, Depay spoke of his decision to leave Barcelona for Atletico Madrid in the winter and admitted that he was happy to have made the move and is looking forward to score many more goals in Los Rojiblancos’ colours.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Depay said: “I’m very happy. I came to this beautiful club to score goals. I’m just waiting for more opportunities to score more to be important for the team.”
Depay has played four games for Atletico Madrid so far since his move from Barcelona and has netted one goal.
The former Manchester United star’s contract with the Colchoneros runs until the summer of 2025. Having failed to make the most of his time in Barcelona, Depay will be hoping to get his club career back up and running with Simeone & co.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid to rival Inter, AC Milan and Roma for 23-year-old centre-forward
Atletico Madrid are set to enter the market for another striker in the summer transfer window even though they signed Memphis Depay in January from Barcelona.
And according to Italian journalist Giacomo Iacobellis, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing 23-year-old striker Mateo Retegui, who is also on the radars of AC Milan, Inter and AS Roma.
Retegui, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, also has Italian citizenship and has recently been called up by Roberto Mancini to the national team squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The 23-year-old striker is currently plying his trade for Argentine outfit Tigre, on loan from Boca Juniors, having joined in February last year. He has made a solid impression so far in his time with his temporary club and has six goals in seven league appearances this season so far.
It has alerted Atletico Madrid, who are on the lookout for a new centre-forward. Depay was brought in earlier this year to replace Joao Felix, who left on loan and is likely to be sold permanently to Chelsea in the summer.
Having lost Matheus Cunha as well during the winter, Diego Simeone’s side do not have great depth up top, especially with Alvaro Morata not performing consistently. Hence, a new centre-forward could arrive at the Civitas Metropolitano, with Retegui emerging as an option.
Retegui’s loan deal runs until the end of this year, with Tigre having the option to make the transfer permanent. His contract with Boca Juniors expires at the end of December 2024.
Apart from Atletico, Italian clubs like AS Roma, AC Milan and Inter Milan are also keen on the 23-year-old and it remains to be seen if Retegui moves to Europe come summer.
