Atletico Madrid failed in their attempts to sign central defender Kostas Manolas from Italian club Roma this summer, say reports.
The Greek central defender eventually joined Napoli in a €36m move with El Mundo Deportivo now citing reports from Italy that Atleti made a similar approach for the player.
Los Rojiblancos overhauled their defence this summer with a series of new arrivals including Mario Hermoso, Renan Lodi, Felipe Monteiro and Kieran Trippier.
The central defender turned 28 years old this summer and has been in Italy since leaving Olympiacos for Roma in 2014 for €15m – and famously scored the headed goal which knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League in April 2018.
Atleti began their La Liga campaign with consecutive clean sheets against Getafe and Leganes before a dramatic comeback to defeat Eibar 3-2.
Diego Simeone’s side are said to be among the favourites for this season’s title and are currently the only side in the top flight with a 100% record.
