Roberto Jiménez joined Deportivo Alavés on loan in the winter market, six months after he signed for West Ham United on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old’s performances in the second half of the season have convinced the La Liga side to retain him for the next campaign.
However, Alavés must get rid at least one of their keepers before signing the Hammers owned player this summer.
AS now claim the Spaniard has emerged as a target for Atlético Madrid. He came up through the ranks of Los Rojiblancos’ youth system, but failed to cement a place in their first team.
Diego Simeone’s side are looking to bring in a backup for Jan Oblak as Antonio Adán has decided not to continue at the Wanda Metropolitano. The latter is a free agent this summer.
A return to his old club means Roberto will see his playing time restricted because Oblak remains the first-choice keeper at Atlético.
It’s claimed the West Ham owned player is ‘one of the options’ handled by Atlético sporting director Andrea Berta. Eibar’s Marko Dmitrović and Olympiacos keeper José Sá are the other two targets.
Simeone’s side may find it hard to sign Roberto, who had earlier expressed his desire to continue at Alavés.
“Deportivo Alavés have offered me a hand from the first day and that is why it is much easier, that is why I think this is a great place to be, be happy and enjoy this, to be able to continue with a good career,” he said.
Given his performances for West Ham, a move to Atlético Madrid would be something of a shock. Jiménez was close to being a disaster for the Hammers, so to go from there to be being understudy for arguably the world’s best goalkeeper would be quite a jump.
