Nahuel Molina has completed a ‘dream’ £18 million move to Atletico Madrid with Premier League duo Arsenal and Nottingham Forest missing out, via the club’s official website.
It is five months now since Kieran Tripper left the Wanda Metropolitano for Newcastle United, and Atleti have a replacement at last. Some may say an upgrade.
Eight goals and five assists is a remarkable tally for a right-back. Especially one plying his trade for a mid-table Udinese side. Trent Alexander-Arnold would be proud.
Those swashbuckling displays led to an ‘important offer’ from Arsenal earlier in the summer, according to Marca. Nottingham Forest were interested too (Tuttosport).
Of course they were. Seriously, is there a footballer Forest haven’t tried to sign since breaking Huddersfield hearts at Wembley?
As of Thursday, however, Molina is an Atletico Madrid player.
Nahuel Molina will play under Diego Simeone in La Liga
“I’m very happy. I’m very happy for this step in my career,” beams the 24-year-old Argentina international.
“That Atleti have taken notice of me, and the chance to play here, is a dream. It’s a pleasure to learn as much as I can from the coach, his staff and my team-mates.
“I try to be an organised player; Do what the coach asks of me in every game. Obviously, every game is different. Depending on what the coach asks of me, I always try to be ready.
“I like to help out in attack. If not, I like to defend (too).”
Will Arsenal find a buyer for Hector Bellerin?
Nottingham Forest turned to Neco Williams after giving up on Molina a couple of weeks ago, landing the former Liverpool youngster for a cool £17 million. Arsenal, meanwhile, look set to stick with Cedric Soares as competition for the more defensively-minded Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Hector Bellerin remains out of favour despite an impressive loan spell at boyhood club Real Betis. Arsenal will reportedly accept just £15 million for Bellerin, with Los Verdiblancos still hopeful of striking a permanent deal.
“I talk to him a lot. For me, he is a very important person. A friend that you take with you forever,” Betis striker Borja Iglesias says of the former Barcelona youngster.
“I would love it (if Bellerin returned). If I had to decide, he would be here right now. But since I don’t have to negotiate (the deals) – luckily because it would be fatal – we’ll see what happens.
“He has always shown his love for the club and the desire to be here. Whatever happens, he is welcome.”
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