Issa Diop linked with Atlético de Madrid

Last February, several media outlets echoed the interest that the young Issa Diop (21 years old) was generating in clubs like FC Barcelona and Liverpool. Although those rumors did not go far, the player is now back in the spotlight as he is linked with none other than Atlético de Madrid.

According to the newspaper L'Equipe, both Atlético and several Premier League teams have closely followed the player's progress throughout the recently ended season, and it would not be surprising if one of them took action during the current summer transfer market.

A powerful center back who stands out for his combative nature and his dominance in aerial play, Diop has had a difficult season at Toulouse, a team that had to wait until the last moment to save their place in the top tier (they defeated Ajaccio, from Ligue 2, in the play-offs) and that, right now, could consider selling a player that would bring in a significant profit (he is valued at around €22M according to Transfermarkt).

Currently, it does not seem that Atlético is in dire need of new center backs. Diego Godin, Stefan Savic, Lucas Hernandez, and José Maria Gimenez form a more than reliable quartet, so only the departure of the latter (tempted by Real Madrid and Juventus) could be decisive in considering the signing of the under-21 international.