Atletico Madrid make Leicester City full-back their No.1 target

A back and forth between Atletico Madrid and Leicester City over full-back Timothy Castagne has exposed common ground between the two clubs.

Leicester remain the only team in the Premier League to not register a new signing while their Spanish counterparts’ new additions end at winger Samuel Lino and Axel Witsel who joined on a free transfer after leaving Borussia Dortmund.

The reason for the shortage is both sides need to see outgoings before incomings can be dually sourced, although the similarities end there.

The focus of Atletico’s problems is financial, however, Leicester purely have too many players – 33 to be exact – that require to be registered in their 25-man Premier League squad.

Why this is relevant is because Atletico are interested in acquiring the Foxes’ versatile defender Timothy Castagne. Manager Diego Simeone is looking to strengthen at right-back after his previous first-choice option Olympiacos-bound Sime Vrsaljko’s contract expired.

Atletico Madrid’s interest in Leicester City’s Timothy Castagne is justified

Castagne joined Leicester in the summer ahead of the 2020/21 season after catching the eye for Serie A outfit Atalanta.

Atalanta, who are renowned for developing talent, signed the Belgium international from boyhood club and Jupiler Pro League outfit Genk, where he played alongside now teammate Wilfred Ndidi.

Upon arriving at the King Power Stadium, Castagne became an instant success. He scored on his Premier League debut against West Brom before providing assists in the two outings that followed.

Since then, barring short spells of injury, he has remained a constant in Brendan Rodgers’ starting eleven.

Under Rodgers, the 26-year-old is most commonly fielded at right-back but he has also occupied both the left-back position and centre-back role to the right of a 3-back.

An attribute of the player’s that will be particularly attractive to managers taking a vested interest is his versatility and proclivity to put the team’s interests above that of his own.

He is an honest servant that goes about his business with utmost professionalism which can be likened to compatriot Youri Tielemans.

The latest on Castagne to Atletico Madrid

The above hasn’t been lost on Simeone evidently, with reports suggesting Atletico Madrid’s interest in Castagne goes beyond just that.

Belgian journalist, Sacha Tavolieri, as quoted by Sport Witness, states that Castagne is the number one option at right-back for higher-ups in the Spanish capital.

Without clarifying a figure, Tavolieri goes on to report that Atletico have submitted several offers but Leicester City are put off by the structure of the proposed deal.

This would suggest Los Colchoneros are pursuing a transfer with either delayed payments, add-ons, or a loan with an option to buy in order to manoeuvre around their financial difficulties.

In such an event, this understandably doesn’t suit Leicester who are looking to raise funds notwithstanding their need to offload numbers and are likely to be reluctant to part ways with a player of Castagne’s profile anyway.

Several players have been adjudged surplus to requirements at the East Midlands club while a select few have been identified as possible departures if the right offer is submitted. Castagne falls into the latter category.