Atletico Madrid News
“They are one of the best clubs in the world” – Axel Witsel talks following his move to Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid announced their first signing of the transfer window on Wednesday in the form of Axel Witsel. The Belgian international signed a short-term deal with Los Rojiblancos that will see him at the club for just one season.
After his move was made official, the midfielder talked to the club about his decision and the factors that pushed him to make the move to Spain.
Witsel first justified his decision to join Atletico Madrid by saying that he considered the club one of the best in the world.
“For me, Atlético is one of the 8 best clubs in Europe, and I wanted to continue playing at a high level after Dortmund, that’s why I decided to come here.”
However, he also added that his international teammate Yannick Carrasco had a big role to play in his decision to join Simeone’s side:
“Carrasco pushed me to come. He told me that I have to come, it’s a top club, with a beautiful city. He told me about it in the selection, with Belgium. But in truth, I didn’t need Yannick to make this decision.”
The Belgian will provide Simeone with some much-needed reinforcement in midfield after the departure of Hector Herrera. With Koke, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Rodrigo de Paul, and Saul Niguez being the only midfield options for next season, a new defensive midfielder was the need of the hour.
Though the Verdiblancos tried hard to sign Boubacar Kamara, the youngster seems set to join Aston Villa. Witsel now arrives as a temporary fix to the crisis until the club can sign another young midfielder in the coming windows.
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.
