Atletico Madrid have been linked with River Plate and Argentina right-back Gonzalo Montiel as a potential replacement for Manchester United target Kieran Trippier.
Trippier has been holding out for a return to the Premier League all summer. But while Atletico have Sime Vrsaljko and Santiago Arias in the squad, they are expected to dip into the market to replace the England international if his valuation is met.
Mundo Deportivo writes that Atletico are holding out for €40m (£34.2m) for Trippier, which is the likely reason for rumours that a deal probably won’t be reached until late in the transfer window.
Atletico are at least preparing themselves for the possibility that Trippier will be sold.
Montiel, who won the Copa America this summer, is one of the primary names linked with a move to Wanda Metropolitano. He extended his contract with River Plate earlier this year until the end of 2022 to preserve a transfer value, but it is said the club has already agreed they will sell him.
The only issue for Atletico is that Portuguese giants Benfica are strong competitors for the player’s signature, with MD even suggesting they have the advantage over Los Rojiblancos.
A separate report from Mundo Deportivo has named Hector Bellerin, Nelson Semedo and Alessandro Florenzi as other potential options to replace Trippier.
Bellerin is heavily linked with an Arsenal exit this summer amid a squad overhaul in north London, with Inter and PSG among the other clubs that have been linked with the Spaniard. He has never played professionally in his home country after leaving Barcelona’s youth ranks at 16.
Semedo only joined Wolves from Barcelona last summer, but the Premier League side are having to consider a number of player sales to be able to reinvest in their squad.
Florenzi, meanwhile, is not thought to have a place at parent club Roma, now under the leadership of Jose Mourinho, having already spent last season on loan at PSG.
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Source : 90min