Atletico Madrid News
Premier League defender set to sign pre-contract agreement to join Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone sees the need for a change in scenery at centre-back as a non-negotiable heading into next season. Atletico Madrid do have quality options for the central defence but nobody has convinced in recent times as a consistent performer.
A combination of sloppy mistakes and fitness struggles has riddled the Colchoneros’ solidity at the back this season and has become a recurring theme. Thus, Atleti’s hunt for a new centre-half never came as a big surprise.
According to reports from The Athletic, Caglar Soyuncu is expected to sign a pre-contract agreement with the Rojiblancos in the coming weeks. The Turkish international has been a target for the club for a long time and a paper-to-pen agreement thus arrives as a strong development.
Soyuncu has fallen out of favour at Leicester City this season, making just four Premier League appearances for them all season. Considering that he had 28 starts in his last season, it has been a steep way down.
The Turkish international, whose contract expires on June 30, has enjoyed sporadic re-emergence in recent weeks as he completed 90 minutes in both of Leicester’s last two league games. In fact, he was one of the team’s best players against Wolves.
Joining Atletico Madrid on a free transfer, he will have to fight it out for a starting spot with Jose Maria Gimenez, Mario Hermoso, and Stefan Savic. However, given the trio’s inconsistencies and fitness troubles, Soyuncu could become a regular starter quickly in his career at the club.
In his few Premier League appearances, the 26-year-old averages 1.8 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and close to four clearances per game. Further, he wins 85% of his duels and is a potent defensive force.
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.
