Atletico Madrid have entered talks with Gonzalo Montiel as they look to beat West Ham United to the River Plate defender, as reported by La Razon.
David Moyes must be sick of the sight of Diego Simeone.
Because, after snapping up Moussa Dembele from under West Ham’s nose, it seems the La Liga leaders are making progress on a deal that would see another highly-rated international move to the Wanda Metropolitano rather than the London Stadium.
Montiel has been a target for West Ham since January 2020, with Manuel Lanzini even admitting, via Ole, that the Premier League outfit had made an enquiry about his fellow Argentina international (El Intransigente).
Furthermore, Telam reports that Montiel will be available for a fraction of his £18 million release clause this month, with his River Plate contract due to expire in July.
But, with Atletico Madrid looking for a right-back capable of stepping into a void created by Kieran Trippier’s FIFA-enforced suspension, talks are underway to bring the 2018 Copa Libertadores winner to Spain.
Aggressive, forceful and strong in the tackle, Montiel certainly fits Simeone’s uncompromising way of playing and should slot comfortably into one of Europe’s most watertight backlines.
La Razon reports that Atletico could turn to Villarreal’s long-serving wide man Mario Gaspar should their pursuit of Montiel fail.
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