Latest news with #Atletico
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid now prioritising 22-year-old left-back ahead of Liverpool's Andy Robertson
Atletico Madrid do seem intent on signing a left-back this summer, and a fresh target has emerged at the top of their shortlist. Los Colchoneros had been strongly linked with Liverpool man Andy Robertson, but it appears he is no longer priority. Los Colchoneros were initially interested in Alvaro Carreras before Real Madrid made a move for him, and held conversations with AC Milan's Theo Hernandez too. That was as far as it went, and he is expected to move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia now. The two names that were most strongly linked to Atletico Madrid were Liverpool's Andy Robertson and Aston Villa's Lucas Digne. Liverpool were supposedly open to Robertson leaving for between €5-10m. Matteo Ruggeri emerges as fresh target As reported by Marca though, Atletico Madrid's fresh priority is Atalanta left-back Matteo Ruggeri. He has performed well for Italy's under-21 side at the Euros this summer, and is now ahead of Robertson and Digne in their thinking. The 22-year-old has a contract until 2028, but one of the key factors in his favour is age, as Atletico look to get younger. Matteo Moretto goes a step further and says that only details are separating Atalanta and Atletico from an agreement. Negotiations had been carried out in secret, and the talks are advanced. Image viaCarlos Augusto enquiry Meanwhile another Serie A left-back is also in their thinking, say Diario AS. Atletico have enquired about 26-year-old Carlos Augusto, who currently plays for Inter. Augusto is under contract until 2028, and what they found out was that Inter are not willing to part with him for less than €25m, a figure that make a move to the Metropolitano tricky. This season Diego Simeone was relying on Javi Galan and Reinildo Mandava at left-back, with neither particularly impressing. Bringing in a left-back seems to be a priority alongside a central midfielder and a playmaker.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland captain Andy Robertson's Liverpool future in doubt after £40m Milos Kerkez transfer
EPL deal leaves the defender with a decision amid Spain interest Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland captain Andy Robertson faces a pivotal decision on his future at Liverpool following the £40m arrival of Milos Kerkez. The Anfield club signed Kerkez from English Premier League counterparts Bournemouth on a five-year contract, and he is now expected to become first-choice left-back under head coach Arne Slot. Robertson, 31, has held that position for most of his eight years on Merseyside and must now decide whether he is willing to accept a bit-part role or explore a move elsewhere. He is now one of three senior left-backs alongside 21-year-old Kerkez and the Greek Kostas Tsimikas, 29. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Spanish club Atletico Madrid want to take Robertson to La Liga and, with Scotland aiming to reach next summer's World Cup, the national skipper needs to ensure he is playing regularly at a high level. He is mulling over his long-term future on holiday, with his Liverpool contract entering its final 12 months. He is due to report to the club's Kirkby training base to start pre-season on Monday, 7 July. Last season saw the full-back play 55 matches in total - 45 for Liverpool and 10 for Scotland. Having finished the campaign as Slot's established left-back, the signing of Kerkez signals a significant change in circumstances for the former Queen's Park, Dundee United and Hull City man. Atletico offer the prospect of more regular game time and are prepared to sign Robertson as their first-choice on the left side. His former Anfield team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Atletico's city rivals Real four weeks ago and would be a familiar face in the Spanish capital if the Scot decides to move. Should he leave England, chances of Tsimikas remaining at Liverpool would certainly increase. EPL, Champions League and cup wins for Scotland captain but Spain transfer may appeal Robertson knows his place is under threat. Speaking earlier this month, he addressed the prospect of Kerkez joining Liverpool to compete for his position. 'When you play for a big club like Liverpool, you expect challenges, you expect to have competition,' he said. 'I've always faced that and so has everyone in their own positions. We want the club to be ambitious. Wherever we fit into that, if you're happy with the role, you stay and do it. If you're not, I'm sure there will be some people out the door as well.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is now down to Robertson to decide whether he is seriously interested in pursuing the Atletico option, or whether he will remain on Merseyside for the final year of his contract. Having won the Champions League twice and two English Premier League titles with Liverpool, plus an FA Cup, two League Cups, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup, the Scotland defender may feel he has achieved everything he can with the Anfield club.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Arsenal Join Atletico Madrid In Keeping Tabs On Inter Milan & Brazil Star
Arsenal have joined Atletico in viewing versatile Inter Milan wingback Carlos Augusto as a transfer target. This according to Italian outlet FCInterNews. They report that Inter would have no intention of selling the 26-year-old however. Advertisement Reports recently emerged that Spanish giants Atletico Madrid are keen on Inter wingback Carlos Augusto. It is no secret that the Colchoneros are targeting a left-back. And reportedly, Augusto is close to the top of their list of targets. However, Atletico are not the only team to show an interest in the Brazilian. Report – Arsenal Join Atletico Madrid In Keeping Tabs On Carlos Augusto MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Carlos Augusto of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by) According to FCInterNews, former Atletico sporting director Andrea Berta was a key figure in identifying Carlos Augusto as a target for the Spanish giants. However, the outlet note, Berta has since left Atletico. He joined Arsenal as their new Sporting Director in the spring., Advertisement And according to FCIN, Berta remains a keen admirer of Augusto, who joined Inter from Monza in the summer of 2023. Therefore, FCIN report, Augusto has also come onto the Gunners' radar. However, the outlet add, Inter would have little intention of selling the 26-year-old. Augusto has become a key player for Inter. Particularly because of his versatility, as he is capable of playing either at left-wingback or on the left of a back three. Moreover, reports FCIN, new Inter coach Cristian Chivu is a big fan of what he has seen from Augusto in his first few training sessions. The Romanian sees the former Monza wingback as a key part of his project.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid activate release clause for 17-year-old attacking talent
Atletico Madrid have moved to secure one Spain's emerging talents, with Los Rojiblancos playing a significant fee for a teenager without a senior appearances. Elche have announced that Atletico have activated the release clause of under-19s star Daniel Fitzgerald. The 17-year-old, who has both Spanish and English citizenship, signed his first professional contract last year, and this season made his debut with Elche's B team, Elche Ilicitano, who play in Spain's fourth tier. He came on up front for the final 14 minutes of their clash against Andratx, and added a fifth goal in a 5-0 win in his first appearance. Atletico Madrid pay Fitzgerald release clause The Valencian club have announced that Atletico have paid Fitzgerald's €150k release clause, despite their best attempts to hold on to their teenage promise. Diario AS say that Elche had offered him a fresh deal, with the promise of senior football for the newly promoted La Liga side in the near future. However he will sign a three-year deal with Atletico, and is set to join their under-19 side. It is a level he is already familiar with, having moved up the ranks quickly with Elche. Image via Twitter / X Comparisons with Alex Baena Los Colchoneros have been heavily linked with Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena this summer, and the Madrid-based paper go on to say that Fitzgerald has drawn comparisons with the Spain international. Although he is capable of playing across the forward line, he plays best behind the forwards, and stands out for his ability to play the decisive pass. Fitzgerald must impress Fernando Torres and Diego Simeone Fitzgerald will face the tough task of breaking into Atletico's senior team in the coming years, with Pablo Barrios the only notable entry into the first team since Koke Resurreccion and Saul Niguez. If he stands out at under-19 level, it will be Fernando Torres in charge of the B team who will assess his readiness for senior football, before passing under the eyes of Diego Simeone.
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
‘Not at the level': Atletico left to ruminate after knockout
For all the excuses -- and there have been many -- one line from Antoine Griezmann cut straight to the heart of the matter after Atletico Madrid's Club World Cup elimination. 'We have to look at ourselves and see that there are times when we are not at the level and we have to resolve that,' said the veteran French forward. Griezmann's goal earned Atletico a 1-0 win over Botafogo on Monday but the Brazilian side progressed ahead of the Spaniards on goal difference to reach the Club World Cup last 16. Atletico were left licking their wounds, just like they were after failing to win a major trophy this season. Their controversial Champions League last 16 elimination by Real Madrid after Julian Alvarez's 'double-touch' penalty left Atletico raging at referees, UEFA and their arch-rivals. They spiralled and blamed that for their capitulation in La Liga, which they led at Christmas, while Simeone insisted a Copa del Rey semi-final defeat by Barcelona was something the club had to accept. 'We are trying to keep improving to get closer and closer to the teams above us and to accept the place we are,' said the Argentine coach. However Atletico, who won La Liga in 2014 and 2021, and finished runners-up in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League final, have been far closer to the elite than they are right now. Some players at the club understand that, like Griezmann and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while others do not seem to. 'We'll keep rattling the cages of those at the top,' pledged Marcos Llorente after the group stage elimination in the United States. Atletico were upset that some penalty appeals were ignored during the win over Botafogo in Pasadena. 'I've never seen anything like it, to be honest, I think we should have been awarded two penalties,' complained winger Giuliano Simeone, the coach's son. 'I think the decisions are not favouring us at all -- in all the debatable ones, we have to play against that.' 'It takes work' It was Atletico's opening 4-0 thrashing by Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain that cost them qualification and also showed how far they are from the game's peak. Simeone has been in charge since 2011 and many would say he is the greatest coach in the club's history, but in recent years questions have grown around whether he is the man to drive Atletico further. The last trophy they won was La Liga four years ago. 'I'm sad to be eliminated, we got six points from three games. We won two,' said Simeone. As has so often proven the case in recent years, it was not enough. In some quarters of the Spanish media, former Rojiblanco defender Filipe Luis, coach of Brazilian side Flamengo -- who have made it through to the last 16 -- has been linked as a future Atletico coach. 'They've had a long season... let's hope the next one is better for them,' said retired Atletico great Sergio Aguero, but with the team not progressing, some fans are losing their hope. Griezmann, who signed a new contract with Atletico at the start of the summer and ended a 18-game goal drought against Botafogo, believes it will take elbow grease. 'It takes work, and it's a problem deeper and more to do within the team than the referees,' he added, as Atletico packed their bags for home. 'We have to focus on what we have to improve, on what we have to do to win these games.'
