According to reports from Spain, Atletico Madrid are not waiting for the summer to come before they start bringing in players, they want to be fast about it as they face strong competition from big clubs with more funds to spend than them. Those in charge at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano are very interested in two of the players in the current Porto squad, namely Hector Herrera and Alex Telles.
Reports in Marca have it that Mexican midfielder Herrera has already committed to joining the Los Rojiblancos and will sign on a five-year deal after completing a free transfer, according to several Portuguese outlets.
Diego Simeone’s side want the 28-year-old to be joined on the road from FC Porto to the Spanish capital by Telles, the Brazilian left-back. Telles, aged 26, has a release clause of 40 million euros and Los Colchoneros are hoping to reduce that price.
Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax is another left-back option, but Telles could be the chosen one depending on the negotiating skills of the Atleti directors. There may be other candidates for a move from Porto to Atletico too, as dressing room sources have hinted that there could be other Rojiblanco targets at the Estadio do Dragao.
Atletico have often done business with Porto and it looks like they’ll be doing some more with the Portuguese side this summer.
Meanwhile, rumours of an Antoine Griezmann departure from Atletico Madrid have been in the news again in recent weeks and the Frenchman is growing tired of the constant speculation. With similar stories appearing almost every spring and summer, the No.7 is no stranger to such transfer talk, as he explained after France’s Monday night win over Iceland.
“I am used to them and a little fed up with them,” he told Univision when asked about the latest rumours over his future. “It’s the same every year, so I’m used to this.”
However, there has been yet more disappointing injury news at Atletico Madrid as 19-year-old Borja Garces will need surgery after an ACL injury to his right knee. The B team player has played and scored for the first team this season as he looks to make the permanent step up to the senior side, but this injury will stall his progress.
“Thank you for all the messages of support,” the striker wrote on Twitter. “I will come back stronger! “God gives the hardest battles to his best warriors.”