Atletico Madrid News
Serie A defensive prodigy reacts to rumours of Atletico Madrid, Manchester City interest
There is no running away from the fact that Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side are one of the greatest defensive teams in the modern era.
However, last season saw the Rojiblancos concede 43 goals in La Liga, which was the worst tally out of any team that finished in the top eight.
In the ongoing campaign as well, the side from the Spanish capital have let in seven goals in eight league games and have looked anything but convincing at the back.
As a result, it is no surprise to see Atleti linked with a move for Giorgio Scalvini, who looks like one of Serie A’s most promising defenders.
At just 18, the young centre-back has already made his debut for the Italian national team and is being targeted by Premier League champions Manchester City as well.
When quizzed about the interest from elite clubs like Atletico and Manchester City, Scalvini dismissed the speculations, stating that he wants to remain focused on doing well with Atalanta.
“I don’t read the news. Usually, my friends tell me but actually, I’m not thinking about that. I am focused on Atalanta. I want to do my best with this shirt”, he told Italian newspaper L’Eco di Bergamo, as relayed by BeSoccer.
Ultimately, this revelation may come as a blow to the Spanish giants, considering it is possible that they were considering the Italian centre-half as a potential reinforcement.
With Atalanta conceding a mere five goals in nine Serie A games while being currently second in the table as well, Scalvini has been a key presence in Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who are looking to challenge for the league title.
Despite the 18-year-old seeming disinterested to join Diego Simeone’s side, this should not discourage the club from keeping a keen eye on other potential defensive targets.
As the gap between Atletico Madrid and Spain’s ‘Big Two’ seems to be getting bigger and better, potentially astute incomings such as Scalvini must join the club to help them apply pressure at the top.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid monitoring teenage striker with €40 million release clause – Romano
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid are among the clubs monitoring the progress of UD Almeria striker Marciano Sanca.
The 19-year-old Guinea-Bissau forward joined Almeria from Portuguese outfit Leixoes in January last year, linking up with the club’s B team.
Marciano has made three league appearances Almeria’s reserve team and has not scored a goal yet. The teenager has been training with the first-team setup regularly and Romano claims that he is close to making his debut in La Liga.
While he might not have made a splash at the senior level yet, Marciano seems to be already gathering admirers with Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Brighton & Hove Albion said to be tracking the youngster.
Los Rojiblancos are set to enter the market for a new centre-forward as Joao Felix is expected to be sold permanently while Alvaro Morata’s future is also not entirely certain.
So even though Diego Simeone has Memphis Depay, Angel Correa, and Morata at his disposal, Atletico Madrid will dive into the market for a new striker with there being links to Mateo Retegui of Boca Juniors, currently on loan at Tigre.
Now, Marciano has also emerged as a potential target or Atletico Madrid, although signing him will not be easy in the summer.
Even though the 19-year-old’s contract expires in 2024, he is bound by a release clause worth €40 million and Almeria intend to keep him at the club beyond this season.
So, the La Liga club might hold out for the entire release clause amount in order to stave off potential suitors like Atletico Madrid, who are not in a position to make such an investment on an unproven youngster.
