Atletico Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid trio, Atletico forward called up by Spain national team
After the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, football fans will brace themselves for the first international break of this calendar year later this month.
Spain have already announced their squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro qualifiers against Norway and Scotland, with new manager Luis de la Fuente making some interesting additions.
For Real Madrid, defensive duo Dani Carvajal and Nacho Fernandez have both been selected while Dani Ceballos makes a return to the team, in light of his blistering performances since the turn of the year.
📸🇪🇸⚽️
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 17, 2023
👶🏻 Empezamos 𝙟𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙨.
👦🏻 Crecimos 𝙟𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙨.
👱🏼♂️ Triunfaremos 𝙟𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙨.
➡️ Yᴀ ᴛᴇɴᴇᴍᴏs ʟᴀ ᴄᴏɴᴠᴏᴄᴀᴛᴏʀɪᴀ ᴅᴇ ɴᴜᴇsᴛʀᴏ Sᴇʟᴇᴄᴄɪᴏɴᴀᴅᴏʀ ɴᴀᴄɪᴏɴᴀʟ Lᴜɪs ᴅᴇ ʟᴀ Fᴜᴇɴᴛᴇ.#VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/Easj3wIH1W
Nacho’s addition will be one of the highlights, especially after having been constantly overlooked by previous manager Luis Enrique.
The defender, who has even been linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu, has been in good form of late and can provide cover across the backline.
Alvaro Morata has made the team as well. The former Chelsea star, though, is only the Atleti player to be included in de la Fuente’s squad, with the likes of Koke and Marcos Llorente being the notable omissions.
Marco Asensio, meanwhile, was the most notable absentee from the Real Madrid squad.
Spain will kickstart their UEFA Euro qualifying campaign on Saturday when they take on Norway at La Rosadela, Malaga. One would expect either of these four players to start in this opener, with Morata, in particular, likely to lead La Roja strikeforce.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid ‘want to fight’ for the signing of €40m Barcelona midfield target
Atletico Madrid are interested in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and want to fight for his signing in the summer, according to a report from Javi Gomara of Mundo Deportivo. The 26-year-old is also a transfer target for FC Barcelona and several clubs in the Premier League.
Amrabat burst into the limelight after enjoying a stunning run at the FIFA World Cup 2022, during which he helped Morocco reach the semi-finals. The midfielder was heavily linked with an exit in January, with Barcelona, Atletico and several other clubs linked.
However, a move did not materialise and he remained at Fiorentina. However, with his contract expiring next year, the Moroccan international could be on his way out in the summer, even though the Italian outfit are trying to tie him down with a new contract.
And, as per the report, Atletico Madrid are ready to fight for his signing in the summer. The report states that Amrabat is a player that is very well-liked by the Rojiblancos and would be an important cog in Diego Simeone’s side if they sign him.
Amrabat will be playing at the Civitas Metropolitano tonight, with Atletico’s home ground hosting a friendly between Morocco and Peru. And the Colchoneros dream of making the stadium the 26-year-old’s permanent home from next season.
The report adds that the Moroccan international himself would be ‘delighted’ to join the club. After all, he did speak highly of Simeone and Atleti during the World Cup, when he said:
“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.”
Atletico Madrid have been linked with Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos, but hold no interest in him. Instead, they wish to sign a player of Amrabat’s profile and quality. However, the 26-year-old will not come cheap as Fiorentina will demand a €40 million fee for him.
Beyond that, the interest of Barcelona and other clubs in the Premier League would also be a roadblock for the Spanish capital club.
