Atletico Madrid News
Simeone wants to sign Barcelona icon in January to reinforce Atletico Madrid’s ailing defence
Conceding eight goals in eight games in La Liga and the Champions League, Atletico Madrid have been porous at the back this season.
While the club are known to have been one of the best defensive teams in Europe under the tutelage of Diego Simeone over the years, the same cannot be said for this current side.
Keeping that in mind, the side from the Spanish capital are tempted to take an unorthodox route to solve their ongoing issues. Hence, Atletico Madrid are preparing to make an audacious attempt to sign Gerard Pique in January, as relayed by SPORT.
The World Cup winner has been Barcelona’s fifth-choice defender this term, playing a mere 90 and 45 minutes each in the league and Europe’s elite competition respectively.
Simeone, however, has no doubts over the quality possessed by the 35-year-old and is keen on his signing, especially after being dissatisfied with the displays put in by Mario Hermoso, Stefan Savic and Felipe, while being aware of Jose Gimenez’s unreliable injury record.
The Argentine coach is believed to be eyeing the presence of a centre-half that can inject leadership to the side and help the club return to the time when they were impregnable at the back.
With both Barcelona and Atleti currently trying to find an agreement over a lower fee for Antoine Griezmann’s eventual permanent move to the Wanda Metropolitano, Simeone aims to also finalise a deal for Pique during the ongoing negotiations.
As for Pique, he could consider a move to Atletico, given his current standing within Xavi’s Barcelona. Los Colchoneros will hope that in the event that the Barcelona icon joins the club, he has a similar impact to Luis Suarez during the 2020/2021 season.
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.
