Atletico Madrid plan a surprising raid on Real Madrid in the summer
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid agreed on a deal for Marcos Llorente last summer and there may be another move in store this time out.
Atletico Madrid are not having their best of seasons in the Spanish top flight and find themselves in the fifth position, 12 points off crosstown rivals Real Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s side has not been defending as well as it did a couple of years ago, whereas scoring has been an issue as well due to a lack of creativity in the engine room.
Los Rojiblancos signed quite a few players last summer to strengthen their attack last summer, including Portugal international Joao Felix, but to no avail, as the midfield has been as dead as it can be.
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Having said that, somebody creative could change an otherwise decent squad and Diego Simeone has identified his need ahead of the summer’s transfer window.
El Desmarque has reported that the Wanda Metropolitano outfit will turn to Real Madrid in their quest for a playmaker. Colombia international and former Bayern Munich loanee James Rodriguez has been identified as a potential target, with all signs pointing towards the player’s departure amid lack of playing time since the last few months.
James Rodriguez started the season on a good month after remaining in the squad following August. His physicality and work rate grew whilst at the Allianz Arena, and a lot of footballing experts including Zinedine Zidane himself were quick to note that.
But Federico Valverde’s emergence changed things and James has not featured in La Liga for four months now.
Real Madrid value their signing of six years old at 50 million euros ahead of what seems like an inevitable summer departure, but may play on that price if their bitter rivals are interested.
Whether James is interested in moving to Atletico remains to be seen, but having looked at what happened to ex-Madrid players in Llorente and Morata, he must be cautious.
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Do you think James Rodriguez will succeed in a defensive club like Atletico Madrid?