Atletico Marid are interested in signing Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin and are ready to include attacker Vitolo as part of any deal.
Atletico Madrid have an uphill task this summer to bring a defensive balance in their squad. Manager Diego Simeone is on the lookout for defensive targets and wants a right-back on priority. According to The Telegraph, Atletico Madrid are about to approach Arsenal with an offer for Hector Bellerin and the La Liga side are ready to include attacker Vitolo as part of the deal.
Atletico have already seen some of their long-serving defenders leave after the previous season ended. Simeone is undoubtedly in the market to find able replacements for some of their players who were the bedrock of Atletico’s defence over the last five years or so. Veterans Juanfran and Diego Godin have left the side. Before the season ended, left-back Lucas Hernandez agreed on a move to Bayern Munich.
On the other hand, veteran left-back Filipe Luis is also entering free agency with Barcelona in the hunt for his signature. In the aftermath of those departures, Atletico have been linked with some high profile defenders. There were whispers of interest in Nelson Semedo, but Barcelona’s high asking price could become a problem. Hence to bring a right-back, Simeone is ready to raid Arsenal for Bellerin.
Bellerin has been out with a long-term knee injury which will ensure he misses some games when the new season begins. The Spaniard has a long contract with Arsenal, which still has four years to run. There was interest in the right-back last summer, but suitors were put off by Arsenal’s hefty £50 million price tag. That tag would hardly change this summer owing to his long term contract.
To bring the price tag down considerably, Atletico are set to test Arsenal by including Vitolo in the deal. Arsenal are searching for a winger in the market and Vitolo, due to his versatile prowess could be the answer. Additionally, the player had played prominently before under Unai Emery, as together they won three Europa League titles. Atletico wants to tempt Emery into reuniting with a player he trusts.
As things stand, Arsenal have no need to sell Bellerin as he is considered one of the most essential players in the side. Bellerin also impressed Emery enough to warrant an automatic starting spot in the team when fit. Bellerin is very much expected to play next season at the Emirates, something that could force Atletico to look elsewhere.
Additionally, Vitolo’s statistics would not warrant Arsenal to consider a move for the versatile player. The Spaniard has managed just a solitary goal in the last two seasons combined, and Emery would want a player with much more promise than that. Overall, Bellerin is expected to stay put, despite the interest from Atletico, who, as things look will not meet with Arsenal valuation of £50 million for Bellerin.