Pursuing ‘Magnificent’ Winger with £51m Buyout Clause
The winger Rodrigo Riquelme of Atletico Madrid has reportedly received a bid from Manchester City.
A source from Spain claims that Manchester City have firmly established themselves in a position to do so, despite journalist Mike Minay tweeting that the club has no immediate interest in signing the 23-year-old.
City makes a signing offer to Riquelme
According to a recent report from the Spanish media outlet AS (via Sport Witness), City has submitted an offer to Riquelme’s current club, Atletico, indicating their want to sign the midfielder.
The article also states that although negotiations are in their early stages, the Spanish club has not ruled out the possibility of offloading the winger, even for less than the €60 million (£51 million) release clause in his contract.
The attacker spent the last season on loan with Girona, making 35 appearances and contributing five goals and four assists.
The Spaniard finished the season with the second-highest total of progressive carries (116), successful take-ons (57), shoots at goal (56) and shots on target (22) of any player at Girona, 34 of those appearances being in La Liga.
This has since led to Atletico’s president, Enrique Cerezo, describing the winger’s efforts last season as being “magnificent” for Girona.
While there may be some uncertainty over whether the Citizens are in the frame to sign Riquelme or not this summer, it’s clear that he is a player with talent and the time ahead of him to present that talent and become a top player.