Atlético Madrid

[Pat Murphy]

Raul Garcia is worth £8m max, they may have overpaid slightly. Atletico have done well to be 6th with probably their best player Maxi Rodriguez out for the whole season and also losing Petrov on the other flank for the whole season too.

I think Torres leaving in the summer would be a good thing as they'd get £20m+ for him from a stupid club and then they can spend the money on someone who will get more than 12 goals every season.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Olympiakos are poised to complete the capture of Atletico Madrid midfielder Luciano Galletti.

News of Galletti's departure will likely surprise many at the capital club, given he was a first-team regular last season in clocking up 28 starting appearances

Olympiakos technical director Ilia Ivic is expected in Madrid on Tuesday, to negotiate the finer details of the deal and it is expected to be completed before too long.

The Greek giants have already been busy in the transfer market having sealed the signature of Argentinos Junior striker Jorge Leonel Nunez.

The promising Argentine has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal after Atletico struck an accord with Argentinos over a €2.2million (£1.5million) fee.

"I am very happy to be here for Olympiakos, a big club with big history," said Nunez.

"I will try my best to help my new team to win the title in Greece and to do something good in the Champions League.

"My job is to score goals and I want it to be in an Olympiakos shirt."

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Not too much of a suprise as he was only starting so much because Maxi Rodriguez and Petrov both got knocked out with 6 month injuries.

Petrov will probably leave also, rumours are that Atletico will try and sign Reyes so they have Reyes LW and Maxi Rodriguez RW.

[lionel]

it's a very good price for galletti 1.5m
he's a good player.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

He have been in Benitez's eyes but he was only an option last summer because he wasn't much valued.Maybe not that good but £1.5M seems like a good deal.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has joined Atletico Madrid on loan for the upcoming season.

Abbiati spent last season on loan at Torino, and previously enjoyed a spell at Juventus after losing his number one status at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

The 29-year-old featured regularly for Torino and had outlined his hope to join the club on a permanent deal.

However, he will now spend the next 12 months in Madrid after Milan agreed to lease him to Atletico.

Argentinian Leo Franco is currently Atletico's number one goalkeeper.

Source: Skysports

[Pat Murphy]

Interesting. I think they have every intention for Abbiati to be Leo Franco's no.2 but it's just that they want a keeper to replace Pichu who was in goal when Barca battered Atletico Madrid 6-0

[lionel]

atletico keeps surprising me.. so many new players..

[Pat Murphy]

Quaresma Hours Away From Atletico Madrid Move

Ricardo Quaresma is expected to complete a move to Atletico Madrid in the coming hours.

The former Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona man - who moved to Porto three years ago as a part of the deal that brought Deco to Spain, is set for a return to La Liga.

Atletico Madrid will pay Porto 20 million euros for the Portuguese winger, and a few more based on performances and results.

The move will see Los Colchoneros have a rather long line-up of wingers, with Maxi Rodriguez and Petrov both fit again, and Luis Garcia also on the way in.

This signing comes on the back of Atletico Madrid signing Diego Forlan for 21 million euros, and almost certainly rules Riquelme out as a possibility.

Atletico Madrid have been second only to Barcelona in terms of their summer spending in Spain, with Real Madrid yet to make their moves. They have already netted Raul Garcia, Abbiati, Cleber Santana and Diego Costa.

They are also close to netting Spanish international defender Angel from relegated Celta Vigo, which will officially complete their business for the summer.

As for Quaresma, this is his big chance to prove himself in La Liga, and make a point to Frank Rijkaard, who was unimpressed with the winger over his unwillingness to adapt.

Quaresma had refused to play on the left back then, and was thus left on the bench with Luis Garcia and skipper Luis Enrique being preferred on the right.

He had also hit out at Rijkaard for failing to give him enough chances, and has vowed never to play under him again. He wants a return to Barcelona, but "not while Rijkaard is the coach."

For now, it will be Atletico Madrid - who have been chasing for almost 12 months, it has to be said - whom he will ply his trade for.

from Goal.com

Goal.com - Spain - Quaresma Hours Away From Atletico Madrid Move

I'm suprised at the suddeness. £13.7m is quite a good price considering some of the stupid ones this summer. If this is completed then it does mean that Riquelme will be unlikely to move although not impossible.

---------------------- Kun Aguero -------- Forlan
-- Quaresma ---- Raul Garcia -------- Maniche ------- Maxi Rodriguez
---- Pernia ---------- Pablo ------------- Ze Castro ------- Seitaridis
--------------------------------- Leo Franco

Abbiati sub keeper, Luccin possibly instead of Maniche. A.Lopez also for LB and Eller and Perea also for CB, plus Luis Garcia and whatever happens to Costinha and Petrov would create a mouthwatering team that on paper is title challengers but we all know they won't

[lionel]

^i'm so glad that quaresma is in la liga again! I'ma big fan of him, and now I have the chance to watch him more often! and, riquelme have better chances to end up in napoli now..

I still believe in atletico, they will get a CL spot and maybe they'll battle real for the second place

[Pat Murphy]

Riquelme Close To Atlético Move

Atlético de Madrid are closing in on a deal to sign Juan Román Riquelme from Villarreal after the player advised his agents to begin talks with the club.

Reports in Spain suggest that the Yellow Submarine and los Colchoneros are close to agreeing a fee of aorund €10m for the Argentinian midfielder.

A deal can be pushed through once Riquelme accepts the personal terms on offer and he is being kept updated on the talks while he focusses on the Copa América.

Riquelme became a hero at Villarreal, but fell out with the board and coaching staff after returning late from holidays and missing training sessions.

A loan deal was quickly agreed with Boca Juniors during the winter transfer window, earlier this year, after he was told he would not play for the Spanish side again.

Despite a successful return to la Bombonera, where he helped Boca to win the Copa Libertadores, the 29-year-old does not want to return home on a permanent basis and is keen to try his luck at Atlético.

Manchester United were said to be interested towards the end of the season, but an offer by the Red Devils was rejected by Villarreal.

As state that Milan, Inter and Lyon are also monitoring his situation, but he does not want to move Italy or France and has set his heart on teaming up with Diego Forlán once again.

The pair were central to Villarreal's drive to the Champions League semi finals two seasons ago as they created an understanding that guided the Castellonese outfit forward.

Forlán has already moved to Atlético, after los Colchoneros met his buy-out clause, and Riquelme is set to join him once the Copa América finishes on Sunday.

from Goal.com

Goal.com - Spain - Riquelme Close To Atlético Move


The fee is pretty much set in stone. This move depends on 2 things. The first is Riquelme wanting to play for Atletico and agreeing terms, the other is the flurry of reports that Real Madrid are targeting Riquelme as an alternative to Kaka and Cesc, which could be very very interesting given his ex-Barca connections/revenge and Real's team after that.

Will be interesting to see how the Riquelme saga pans out.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

If they sign Riquelme then they will be a real title challenger next season.Riquelme is in good form and have been outstanding in Copa America.I think he's better than ever.He's on the best days of his career.

[Trim]

Would be a great buy from Atletico or any other club.
But, if it comes to Riquelme to decide on Atletico or RMD, I'm afraid he'd choose the 2nd option.

[Pat Murphy]

Goal.com - Spain - Atletico Fall To 2-1 Defeat Against Gloria Bistrita In Intertoto


Gloria Bistrita 2-1 Atletico Madrid



They still have a second leg but their fans will really be sweating now.

[Pat Murphy]

Petrov Wants Spurs Switch

Bulgarian midfielder Martin Petrov has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Tottenham Hotspur.

The 28-year old Atletico Madrid player has declared Spurs to be a club that is definitely on the rise in Europe and feels the North London club would be the ideal place to ply his attacking brand of football,

"Spurs are a big club and this season play in the UEFA Cup - that is always an interest to any player”, said the player in the News of the World.

Rumours had been building that Manchester City were the first in line to secure Petrov’s signature, however with the promise of European football, White Hart Lane seems to have leapfrogged the Eastlands club as the more favoured destination for the le