Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Mario Hermoso from Espanyol, who has a release clause of €40m in his contract.
Los Rojiblancos are unwilling to pay the asking price since the centre-back only has a year left on his contract, which is why they were looking at other options.
At the end of last month, Marca and Mundo Deportivo both reported Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City and Ajax’s Daley Blind have been identified as the two alternative targets for the La Liga side.
It was also explained the Argentina international is an ‘old dream’ for Diego Simeone and the defender’s presence in the air entices the manager.
Tuesday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo claims the Spanish club have ‘ruled out’ the opportunity to sign the Manchester City player following the arrival of the Brazilian. 
