Atlético Madrid are looking to strengthen their midfield and Thiago Motta is the prime candidate. At the Calderón they also have a limit on their wage bill and it is understood that new signings will be on a one-in, one-out basis. So far, the only player to have expressed his desire to leave is Mario Suárez.
As things stand, however, no deal suits either party. In January Mario was set to leave the club, and an agreement had been reached with Inter Milan. Inter coach Roberto Mancini had even held talks with the Rojiblanco midfielder, but it was actually Simeone who slowed the process down in the fear it would leave his squad too thin. Both Suárez and Atlético want things to be resolved before 8 July when Simeone’s squad return to duty and begin training again, but the situation remains in a stalemate.
In the meantime, Atlético are hopeful Motta can resolve his current contract situation at PSG, with the Madrid club unwilling to spend any sum of money on a player that is about to turn 32. Other possibilities are Souza, from Sao Paulo, Tielemans, from Anderlecht, and Ozan Tufan, from Bursaspor.