Atletico Madrid may sell Kevin Gameiro to make way for Diego Costa in January – and Everton are understandably interested.
Who knows what the future holds for Kevin Gameiro at Atletico Madrid? The French striker himself seems a little unsure.
The Mirror reported last month that the 2014 La Liga champions may be forced to sell Gameiro in the January transfer window in order to compensate for the £67 million deal secured to bring Diego Costa back to the Spanish capital from Chelsea.
As such, Atletico could be willing to accept offers of just £20 million – £15 million less than they paid Sevilla for the striker’s services in the summer of 2016.
This, The Mirror adds, could peak Everton’s interest with the struggling Toffees crying out for a striker to ensure the club’s raft of talented number tens come in useful.
And with Gameiro struggling for regular starts this season, a problem likely to be exacerbated when Atletico’s transfer ban ends in January and Costa can make his long-awaited return, the striker has made it clear that staying in Spain is his priority.
“If they do not want me they have to say it clearly but I will do my best to remain a Rojiblanco,” Gameiro told Diario AS on Monday.
The decision, however, may just be taken out of his hands. Though Gameiro, who scored against Everton’s rivals Liverpool for Sevilla in the 2016 Europa League final, offered a timely reminder of his qualities to Atletico boss Diego Simeone with the winner in a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo at the weekend.
Whether this is a turning point or merely a stay of execution remains to be seen.
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