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.