Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is on the verge of signing for AC Milan, leaving Los Rojiblancos with a hole in their frontline. It could mean a return to the pursuit for Artem Dovbyk.
Los Colchoneros had identified Alexander Sorloth as their primary target, but as West Ham and Roma have been told, the Norwegian will not leave for less than his €38m release clause. With Girona willing to discuss a reduction on Dovbyk’s release clause of €40m, that puts the Ukrainian in pole position for Atletico currently.
🚨🗣️ BREAKING – Rodrigo Riquelme: “In football, you never know what can happen. I’m focused on doing the preseason with Atleti and whatever happens, happens.”@partidazocope pic.twitter.com/DgbgUSUXAv
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) July 17, 2024
While talks had stalled for Dovbyk due to his asking price, Atletico’s need for a forward means that the most likely course of action is that they revisit talks for last season’s Pichichi, say Marca. Atletico are also going after Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, and while they hope to be able to pull that off, they are counting on it.
Meanwhile with back-up goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan in talks with Rayo Vallecano over a move, and El Chiringuito say that they are closing in on the signing of young Turkish goalkeeper Mert Furkan Bayram. He would arrive on a five-year deal.
💣 El Atleti, cerca de firmar a Mert Furkan Bayram.
✍️ El portero turco firmaría por cinco temporadas.
ℹ️ @marcosbenito9 pic.twitter.com/kKjLpCIx3o
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) July 16, 2024
The 19-year-old plays for Altinordu in the Turkish second division, and won a starting spot 16 times last year. He also has nine caps for Turkiye’s under-19 side. Furkan Bayram kept six clean sheets but their interest in him is yet to be corroborated by other sources.