Reported Gunners target the latest Simeone recruit.
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Arsenal have been dealt a blow in the transfer market, report the Mail, with Atletico Madrid having confirmed the signing of reported Gunners target Alessio Cerci from Serie A outfit Torino.
Cerci enjoyed a superb 2013/14 season for Torino as they surprised everyone in Italy by challenging for the Europa League places, eventually squeezing in through the back door after Parma were denied a license, after a last minute penalty miss by Cerci on the final day of the season as Torino failed to beat Fiorentina.
The Gunners had been linked with a move to the player, who has looked likely to leave the Stadio Olimpico all summer after striker partner Ciro Immobile was sold, to Borussia Dortmund, with the two having combined brilliantly to push the side up the Serie A table last season.
He becomes the latest signing in an extremely busy summer for Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone having had to rebuild the side that won La Liga last season and came within seconds of claiming a sensational Champions League victory.
The likes of Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann have already signed for the club this summer and helped them lift the Spanish super cup, although it has been a quiet start to the La Liga campaign with a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano and nervy 2-1 win over newly promoted Eibar.
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