Atletico Madrid are set to throw in the towel in their pursuit of Valencia midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, according to Spanish publication Marca.
Diego Simeone has been left with a void in his squad following the departure of midfielder Thomas Partey to Arsenal on deadline day. As per the BBC, the Gunners paid in full his £45.3M release clause, meaning that cash currently banked with no purpose for Atletico.
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There is further flexibility in La Liga around transfer windows. One specific rule allows Atletico to sign a replacement for Partey, as long as they are playing in Spain or currently without a club. Though, that option will expire in a week, meaning the club have to get a move on.
According to Marca, Valencia midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia was Simeone’s first-choice replacement for Arsenal bound Partey. However, the report claims that Valencia are playing hardball, making it near impossible for Atleti to make any progress in negotiations.
As a result, Marca’s belief is that Atletico will stop wasting their time in attempting to pursue Kondogbia and could be forced to wait until the January transfer window opens to find a viable replacement for Partey.
Arsenal have really done Simeone and Atletico no favours here in poaching Partey at the eleventh hour…
Arsenal did not poach Partey they bought him as any club could. You forget to mention they also have Torerria on loan.