The Atletico Madrid winger has fallen foul of Diego Simeone’s harsh management in La Liga – but Tottenham Hotspur won’t come to his rescue.
Nico Gaitan is not the first big-name star to toil under the excessive demands of Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. Jackson Martinez, prolific at Porto, was more Bambi on ice than dead-eyed poacher at the Vicente Calderon while Alessio Cerci, Mario Mandzukic and Raul Jimenez all paid the price for failing to live up to the Argentine’s standards, shipped in and then out again in the blinking of an eye.
Even Antoine Griezmann spent his first few months in the capital superglued to the substitute’s bench.
Consequently, those who know Simeone well will not be surprised to see Nico Gaitan, the quick-footed Argentina winger who shone with Benfica, tipped to depart after just seven months and nine league appearances under his gesticulating compatriot.
The Daily Mirror claimed that Tottenham Hotspur were aiming to offer Gaitan an escape route out of Atletico in January via a short-term loan until the end of the season.
A versatile, dynamic winger who spearheaded Benfica’s golden generation, the Argentine international possesses everything Mauricio Pochettino could want in a wideman even if Christian Eriksen, Eric Lamela, Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko mean he’s not exactly lacking in options.
Yet, according to the Evening Standard, Simeone is not ready to cut his marquee summer signing adrift just yet.
He has reportedly ensured Gaitan that he remains a crucial part of his first-team plans, a situation that brings back memories of Griezmann’s measured immersion into the blood-and-thunder Atletico lifestyle.
Therefore, it looks like the player relentlessly linked with Manchester United will not be gracing the Premier League any time soon.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
