Transfer news
Diego Simeone neither confirmed nor denied that Atletico Madrid have made a move to sign Chelsea attacker Juan Mata on loan.
GettyImagesJuan Mata has been linked with an Atletico loan.
On Sunday afternoon, Radio Marca reported that an Atletico representative was in London trying to arrange a season-long loan deal for the Spain international.
When a Marca reporter put the story to the Argentine coach, Simeone said: “You are all very well informed, and know lots of things that I have not told you. We will keep working in these last days of the market — there could be many movements, in and out.”
Simeone has been looking for a No.10 all summer, with reported interest in Wolfsburg’s Diego and Fiorentina’s Adem Ljajic coming to nothing. Ajax’s Christian Eriksen, who has interested Liverpool and Tottenham, is also reportedly under consideration.
The Argentine coach suggested he wanted to keep reported Roma target Adrian Lopez, on whom Atletico are reported to have placed a €15 million price tag. “Adrian keeps working with us,” he said. “He brings other things for us, and he played well for us today. He knows what we think of him.”
He was more effusive when asked about goalscorers Raul Garcia and Tiago, saying: “Having Raul helps us in the air. We are happy with his game today — he scored two goals after being left out of the squad for the last game. Tiago played well too. We are a group here, everyone has a part.”
Simeone was speaking after his side had despatched Rayo Vallecano with goals from Raul Garcia (two), Diego Costa, Arda Turan and Tiago Mendes for their second win from two league games this season.
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