Atletico Madrid have not forgotten about Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg after chasing his signature in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo and Fichajes, who say the Spanish side are ready to compete with Juventus for his signature.
Mundo explain that Atletico closed the window with one major issue, they did not fix the lack of a defensive midfielder in the squad.
The big target was always Hojbjerg, who they had ‘convinced’ during conversations throughout the summer and had waited until the last minute to get from Tottenham.
Fichajes add that they were close to getting a deal done but all the parties had agreed on a loan deal but, at the last minute, Tottenham demanded the purchase option be mandatory and Atletico pulled out.
That didn’t end their interest, though, and the Spaniards are now ‘considering launching a new offensive’ to sign the player in January.
They are expecting a ‘tough negotiation’ as there’s no intention to match Tottenham’s demands, while there is now competition from Juventus for the player.
The opportunity is there, though, as the midfielder isn’t playing much under Ange Postecoglou, and he is believed to be upset with the situation. That gives Atletico a window to move for him again and the belief is that they are in ‘pole position’.
The big problem is that asking price, with Mundo backing up Fichajes and saying the €40m figure being quoted is beyond what either Atletico or Juventus can afford.
The price was put at €30m in Italy today, and even that was seen as potentially too much.
