Abde Raihani is set to sign a new contract at La Liga giants Atletico Madrid after rejecting Premier League trio Arsenal, Manchester United and Wolves, according to Marca.
There are certainly worse coaches for a young centre-forward rising through the ranks at the Wanda Metropolitano to learn from. Fernando Torres, the Atletico legend and World Cup winner, works as an assistant at Los Colchoneros’ U19 side these days.
And there are shares of a young Torres in 19-year-old Raihani; quick, strong, direct and an emphatic finisher. The Barcelona-born Moroccan has 19 goals in 25 games for Atletico’s reserve team this season, including three in six in the UEFA Youth League.
And, amid rising interest from outside of Spain, Atletico are leaving nothing to chance as they look to tie Raihani down to a new, long-term deal. One the teenager, Marca say, is inclined to accept; rejecting Arsenal, Man United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in favour of extending his stay in the capital.
Abde Raihani wants to stay with Atletico Madrid
Atletico, the report adds, will include a £62 million release clause in Raihani’s new contract.
The Football Talent Scout website describe the Morocco U20 international as a ‘complete forward’. One who possesses ‘very good pace, agility, and coordination for a player of his size’ as well as ‘a killer instinct, great off-the-ball movement, intelligence, composure, and flair in the final third.”
With Raihani going nowhere, Arsenal could instead step up their pursuit of another baby-faced number nine. Technical director Edu Gaspar, Goal claim, is in talks with the agent of Athletico Paranaense wonderkid Vitor Roque, despite suggestions that one of South America’s most exciting young attackers will cost around £40 million.
Andre Cury, Roque’s agent, admits that Athletico have already turned down a £22 million bid.
Arsenal are in talks to sign Vitor Roque
“We have already had offers, but they were refused. There was an English club, a Spanish club, and an Italian one,” Cury tells Globo Esporte.
“We got more or less an offer of 25 million euros (for Roque). We immediately rejected it, because I believe that the player has a higher value than that. “The time (to leave) is when the right club arrives. One which has a great project, reaches the price-tag, and everyone leaves this negotiation satisfied.”
“(Roque is) demonstrating all the physical, mental and technical characteristics to play for a big club in Europe,” Cury adds. He works a lot physically and contributes a lot to the team; a modern player.
“The big ‘number nines’ in Europe are of advancing ages, like (Karim) Benzema, (Edinson) Cavani, and (Robert) Lewandowski. They will open that gap for these players.
“Vitor Roque is going to have a great future in Europe. Mainly because of his hard work and strong mentality.”
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