Diego Simeone’s long-term future seems quite the hot topic in assorted media outlets, a state of affairs that might have something to do with yesterday’s launch of his autobiography, Believe. The occasionally angry Argentinian is contracted to Atlético Madrid until 2020, but has hinted that he might leave early, once the club have left the Vicente Calderón and settled into their spanking new 67,000-seater stadium on the outskirts of Madrid. Atlético, who have drawn their opening two games of the current league campaign, are due to move into their new digs next August.
“We have a beautiful stadium we’re moving into next year and I hope to be here for that,” said Simeone. “When I came here I was very optimistic about the club’s fortunes and I still am, and that’s why I’m here. I’m still transparent and we hope to work hard and improve on the start we made to the season, but apart from that I’m happy.”
The suggestion that Simeone may not see out his contract has sparked tentative speculation regarding the future of Antoine Griezmann, a Manchester United target who has said he will only leave Atlético if Simeone quits. The Telegraph reports that Chelsea will also fight tooth and nail to bring the Frenchman, who has an £84m release clause in his contract, to England. Of course with Simeone being touted as a future Internazionale coach, Griezmann could conceivably follow him to Serie A.
The Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that Milan are hoping to take the Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas to San Siro in January, along with Real Madrid’s Croatian midfield maestro Mateo Kovacic. Fàbregas may be open to a move as he has yet to start a game for Antonio Conte and has played only 12 minutes under the new regime. Chelsea are also reported to be considering a move for Hoffenheim defender Niklas Sule. The 21-year-old centre half, who played in the German team that won silver at the Olympics in August, is also on Liverpool’s radar and, according to his agent, rejected the opportunity to join Chelsea during the summer in favour of spending another season learning his trade in the Bundesliga.
The Sun reports that Manchester City will not only let Joe Hart leave the club on the cheap when his loan deal at Torino expires, but pay up his contract to ensure they get rid of him. The goalkeeper is expected to make his Serie A debut against Atalanta this Sunday and might be a little miffed, but largely thrilled by reports that his Manchester City bosses are prepared to give him £9m not to darken the Etihad doorstep again.
Meanwhile in Scotland, such astronomical sums are unlikely to feature in the talks being held by Kilmarnock and former Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra, who is without a club following a spell with Al Fujairah in the UAE Arabian Gulf League.
