The January transfer window is approaching which allows the media to write about upcoming transfers, although we aren’t too sure about the credibility of most of these reports:
The story of the week was that of David de Gea’s move to Manchester United. The Times in England reported the clubs had agreed on a €17.5m fee, but Enrique Cerezo and De Gea’s reprensentatives were quick to deny any contact and the Red Devils ultimately look to be in talks with Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard from Aalesund about a possible move to England.
De Gea will sign a new contract in the coming months to end all speculation. AS reports Atlético will offer him a deal worth €1.1m a year, which is a significant increase compared to his current wages, as he now earns €400k. De Gea’s current deal runs till 2013 and has his buyout clause set at €20m.
The contract extension might mean the end of another goalkeeper. Sergio Asenjo has fully recovered from his ligament injury, but is unlikely to feature as long as De Gea is fit. With Joel also available the position in goal is well covered.
Atlético hopes to sell last summer’s big signing and gain some money, which could be used to sign an offensive player. According to El Mundo Deportivo the club hasn’t received any offers yet, although various Spanish clubs are interested in loaning the former Valladolid goalkeeper.
It seems unlikely we’ll go into the second half of the season with three goalkeepers, although it must be noted Joel is also allowed to play for Atlético B.
Last summer Atlético came close to signing Rod Fanni and it seems our search for a new right back still isn’t over, despite Tomas Ujfalusi’s decent performances this season.
AS reports Atlético is keeping an eye on Coke, who plays in the Liga Adelante for our neighbours Rayo Vallecano. However Atleti aren’t the only club keen on the 23-year old right back.
Hércules and Betis have also inquired about a possible transfer, and the latter even made a €1.2m offer last summer, but Rayo held out for €3m.
Since Tiago is only on loan, Atlético are looking at alternatives to replace the Portuguese at the end of the season.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ favorite is Getafe midfielder Dani Parejo, but MARCA reported this week that Real Madrid intend to bring back their cantera product to the Bernabeú.
According to the Spanish version of Goal.com, the other candidates are Borja Valero, Armin Bacinovic from Palermo and Gylfi Sigurdsson from Hoffenheim.
We also hope to reinforce the wide positions of our midfield, because Vicente and Roberto Trashorras were linked to Atlético this week.
Vicente’s contract runs out this summer and it seems Valencia are reluctant to give the injury-prone veteran a new deal. Quique is a long time admirer and would love to bring the left winger to the Vicente Calderón.
The coach is also keen on Roberto Trashorras, the Celta winger who impressed during the double encounter in last year’s Copa del Rey. The 29-year old doesn’t have any La Liga experience, but Quique thinks the right footed winger can provide an alternative we have been missing since Jurado’s departure.
The interest in Vicente and Trashorras makes us wonder if Simão will continue in Madrid. The Portuguese admitted this week he is still waiting for a decision regarding his future.
He told Onda Madrid he is patient, because “when two parties like each other, it’s possible a deal is reached within two days.”
But while there has been contact between the club and his agent, Simão still hasn’t received an offer. Meanwhile out of respect for Atlético, our vice-captain has decided not to open talks with other clubs.
AS reports the biggest issue on the table is the length of a new contract. Simão wants a deal until 2013, but Atlético only wishes to offer him a contract for one more season. This current campaign Simão has featured in all of our la Liga and European matches.
The final story of the week comes from Italy, where the media are sure Diego Forlán’s future lies in Turin. The forward is Juventus’ prime target for the January transfer window and apparently negotiations are already underway.
Forlán’s replacement could be Mauro Zárate, the Argentine forward from Lazio.
We’ll keep you updated if any of these moves appear to be materializing!