Atletico Madrid enquire about France midfielder amid Conor Gallagher doubts

Atletico Madrid are still in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Joao Felix, with Conor Gallagher in limbo awaiting the resolution of those talks. Los Rojiblancos clearly have their doubts about whether it will go through.

Gallagher has signed a deal with Atletico, and even trained with Atletico, after a €40m move was agreed. However that hinged on Samu Omorodion moving to Chelsea, and after that deal fell through, Felix looks like Gallagher’s last hope as talks continue. He has been told by Chelsea to return to London while he awaits the conclusion of those talks, where he will train with the under-21s.

MAJOR BREAKING: Atlético Madrid is considering N’Golo Kanté and has initiated talks with his camp.

He is the option that the club is considering for the pivot position.

[: @marqoss & @Rodra10_97] pic.twitter.com/DPCkHJjrjn

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) August 13, 2024

Relevo are reporting that Atletico have enquired about Al-Ittihad and France midfielder Ngolo Kante. The 33-year-old is coming off the back of Euro 2024 with France, and has a deal until 2026 in Saudi Arabia, but Kante, after Atletico’s approach, has expressed an interest in joining Los Rojiblancos.

Despite having previously agreed a deal for Valencia’s Javi Guerra, and seen it fall through, it seems that they will not return to Mestalla with another offer. Kante’s salary would be a major obstacle to a move, but if Al-Ittihad are open to letting him go, then they would be negotiating for a much lower fee than the likes of Guerra or Gallagher.

Central midfield is one of two remaining priorities for Atletico, alongside central defence, where David Hancko, Piero Hincapie and Clement Lenglet are candidates.

Kante would certainly add legs to Atletico’s midfield, but would not necessarily be a long-term solution for the position. Compared with captain Koke Resurreccion and Rodrigo de Paul, his ball-playing ability is not quite at the same level, even if he would add more steel. Diego Simeone may see Antoine Griezmann dropping increasingly deeper, with Julian Alvarez’s arrival too.

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