If there is one position that Atletico Madrid has recently escaped the transfer market, it is in midfield. Despite the growth of Pablo Barrios, another alternative at the basis of their game has been a priority for Diego Simeone in recent years, but their search for the right players to eventually replace Captain Koke Resurreccion, has been fruitless so far and will be on the agenda again this summer.
Last January Arthur Vermeren was signed from Royal Antwerp for € 18 million, but only six months later Simeone decided that the Belgian was not for him and he was moved to RB Leipzig. That deal will be made permanently this summer.
The central midfield position is a priority for director of Football Carlos Bucero in the upcoming transfer market and caught offside saying that the first movements were made for signing Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian veteran will leave Manchester City in the summer and the Metropolitano could be one of his options.
The 30-year-old, who has enormous European experience with Inter, Rivals Real Madrid, Chelsea and now City, is also interested in Fenerbahce, but would like to stay in one of Europe's top five competitions. He could be available for a reported price tag of approximately € 30 million, one that would try to get Atletico.
Although the position has been a problem for Los Colchoneros in recent seasons, it would be a surprise if they were willing to find so much for the four-time Champions League winner, up to his age. This season, Kovacic, who only moved from Chelsea to City just over 18 months ago for € 29 million, 32 times under Pep Guardiola, scored five times and one assist. Atletico is also linked to Javi Guerra van Valencia and Porto's Alan Varela, the supposed preference of Simeone.
Comments