Atletico Madrid News
Real Madrid have signed two youth prospects from Atletico Madrid’s academy – report
According to reports from Sergio Santos, Real Madrid have not left their mission to sign young prospects from Atletico Madrid’s academy after breaking the non-aggression pact earlier in the season.
The Spanish journalist reports that the Merengues have completed the signings of two more young starlets from the Rojiblancos‘ academy and have been working for months to complete the acquisitions.
One of the players is from Atleti’s Cadet A while another is from the Alevin A setup. Both players will wear white from next season.
Both sides maintained a respectful distance from each other’s academies until last season and did not negotiate to steal the other’s prospects through the pact of non-aggression.
However, everything changed earlier this season when Real Madrid made the swoop to lure Jesus Fortea from Atletico Madrid last summer.
La Fabrica and La Academia are now at war, and it shows no sign of stopping. Santos adds that Real Madrid are eyeing five Atletico Madrid talents and the remaining three will be pursued in the coming months.
Los Blancos are specifically targeting prospects under the age of 16, for players who have passed the checkpoint are subject to financial compensation when moving from club to club. Given that the Merengues‘ targets are all less than 16, they manage to complete the signings for free.
It is thus a very worrying situation for Los Rojiblancos. With all their top-drawer talent moving downtown to Santiago Bernabeu, the red-and-white team are looking to counter-attack by targetting La Fabrica prospects.
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.
