Atlético Madrid failed in their efforts to sign Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in the last window.
Diego Simeone wanted to have the midfielder at his disposal and this is pointed out by today’s Mundo Deportivo.
The La Liga side tried to sign the 28-year-old on a loan deal but Tottenham, led by their chairman Daniel Levy, ‘refused to accept’ the conditions proposed for the transfer.
This forced Simeone to rely on youngster Pablo Barrios, who is currently on the sidelines with an injury. In his absence, Koke has been used in the defensive midfield position, and the report states the Spaniard ‘doesn’t have a good time’ when he has to chase the ball.
Mundo say Atlético’s defeat against Barcelona showed Simeone was right in requesting a new midfielder in the summer and this remains valid for the winter market.
Los Rojiblancos CEO Miguel Ángel Gil and sporting director Andrea Berta are searching for a player, taking into account Simeone’s needs and the club’s financial conditions.
It’s said the Madrid club are ‘still attentive’ to the Tottenham player but will face ‘two major problems’ to carry out the deal next month.
The newspaper states it’s ‘no longer so clear’ that Tottenham will let the Dane leave after Rodrigo Bentancur sustained another injury.
In addition to this, Ange Postecoglou will be without Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr at the start of next year as they will be representing Ivory Coast and Senegal at AFCON.
Juventus’ interest in the ex-Southampton man is the second factor.
