Atletico Madrid News
Morocco midfielder reacts to Atletico Madrid rumours, reveals admiration for Simeone
Speaking in an interview with MARCA, Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has admitted that he is honoured to be linked with clubs like Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. The 26-year-old Fiorentina ace also revealed that he respects Rojiblancos’ manager Diego Simeone a lot.
Amrabat has been one of the breakout stars at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The midfielder, along with the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Yassine Bounou and Achraf Hakimi, have been key to Morocco’s progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The African nation will be facing reigning world champions France later tonight in the semi-finals to book a date with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the grand finale this weekend.
Amrabat’s displays during the course of Morocco’s run at the World Cup has seen him attract admirers in the form of Barcelona as well as Atletico Madrid. And reacting to those rumours, the 26-year-old Fiorentina ace said:
“It’s a great honour to be linked with such clubs. Right now I am playing for Fiorentina. I have a lot of respect for my club, it’s a great team.
“I have a great coach and a great relationship with the owner Rocco Commisso, who brought me to Fiorentina, and also with Joe Barone (General Manager of the club) and Daniele Prade (Sporting Director). I have a lot of respect for them and for the club.”
Talking about Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, Amrabat added: “I have a great coach at Fiorentina. I don’t like to talk about others. But yes, what Simeone does, what he has achieved….
“He has coached Atletico Madrid for many years. I like his style of play. He has won a lot and I have a lot of respect for him. The players in his team are physically strong and aggressive. I like to play that way.”
With Koke not getting any younger and there being question marks over the future of Geoffrey Kondogbia, Atletico Madrid could be in need of a new midfielder. Whether the links to Amrabat lead to anything substantial will be interesting to see.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid among clubs weighing up a summer move for €20 million Barcelona defender
Having successfully raided FC Barcelona for the signing of Memphis Depay during the January transfer window, Atletico Madrid could look to bring in another player from Spotify Camp Nou come summer.
Indeed, according to SPORT, Atletico are among clubs who are interested in signing Barcelona ace Sergino Dest, who is currently away on loan at AC Milan.
Dest has been out of favour at Barça since Xavi Hernandez arrived at the club back in November 2021. The USMNT right-back was sent out on loan to Milan last summer so that he can play regularly.
The Rossoneri have the option of signing the ex-Ajax man permanently for €20 million, but are unlikely to take it up as the right-back has largely underwhelmed during his time in Italy, playing just 14 games in all competitions.
But, that has seemingly not deterred clubs in La Liga, including Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly willing to take a punt on Dest in the summer.
As things stand, Atletico have Nahuel Molina as their primary right-back, but the Argentine has not been consistent enough in his debut season at the club.
Matt Doherty arrived on a free transfer from Tottenham in January but has only played 12 minutes so far, indicating where he stands in Diego Simeone’s scheme. So, a new right-back might not entirely be ruled out at the Civitas Metropolitano come summer.
Dest, though, is also attracting interest from Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal, while an unnamed MLS club also want the right-back.
Barcelona, for their part, wish to recoup the €20 million they spent on him almost three years ago, which could become a roadblock for Atletico Madrid if they do indeed pursue the right-back with greater intent.
As things stand, there is just initial interest and there is nothing concrete from Atletico or any clubs. Only time will tell if that changes once Dest returns from his loan spell.
