Atlético continue to look for players to fill the void that’s been left by Sergio Agüero’s departure, but so far with little success.
Last week the reliable Spanish news agency EFE reported that Atleti had made a €12m approach for Pablo Daniel Osvaldo.
Today we made a new offer, says AS, but Espanyol still won’t budge. The Catalans are holding out for €20m for the 25-year old, but might be willing to drop their prize a bit if Atleti persist.
Apparently we have now made a bid of €13.5m which could be increased by another two million depending on incentives.
Meanwhile AS also report Atleti have contacted FC Porto for the transfer of Falcao, who recently extended his contract until 2015.
The Colombian switched agents and is now represented by Jorge Mendes, who is confident he can move his client to a new club despite the €45m buyout that was included in his new deal.
Atleti could offer Eduardo Salvio in exchange to bring down the prize. The Argentine would have to make way regardless, because Falcao doesn’t hold a European passport.
One player that is seemingly very close to Atlético is Diego Ribas, who confirmed that he has received an offer from the rojiblancos.
The Brazilian seems eager to join, but first the club will have to work out a deal with VFL Wolfsburg. The German outfit no longer count on Diego, but are looking to recoup some of the €15m they spend on him last summer.
Now Atleti reportedly are trying to work out a loan deal.
Another target that is keen on joining Atlético is Antoine Griezmann, but Real Sociedad are hesitant to let go of their French starlet.
The agent of the player, John Williams, has upset La Real’s directors after he spoke with Atlético representatives without their permission, even after they announced the young winger was not for sale.
Wherever he ends up, Griezmann seems to be in a win-win situation because the Txuri-Urdin are set to offer him a new contract to scare away Atleti and other interested clubs.
If we don’t manage to sign any of these cracks then there’s always the chance that we’ll end up with Ángel Lafita or Chori Castro, wingers from Zaragoza and Mallorca respectively who were linked to us by Marca and Diario de Mallorca this week.