How Atletico are derailing Chelsea and Man Utd's summer transfer plans

Daniel Edwards

Updated: 18 Aug 2022 13:09 CDT
3 min read

Diego Simeone has signed a new Atletico Madrid contract until 2024 — © ProShots

Atletico Madrid are known for being tough customers on the pitch, but unfortunately for Manchester United and Chelsea the La Liga club show the same steely resolve in the boardroom as well.

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A string of refusals to negotiate their players have left the two Premier League sides floundering as both look to seal last-minute deals in the summer transfer window.

Chelsea for one have suffered a big setback in their efforts to secure a replacement for star midfielder N'Golo Kante.

Kante is set to miss a month of action after pulling up with a hamstring injury in Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.

While Conor Gallagher came off the bench to replace the France star he is not a like for like replacement, and Kante's absence will leave the Blues short in that vital spot in front of Thomas Tuchel's favoured back three.

Marcos Llorente had been touted as a possible signing, having enjoyed four strong seasons at Atletico since completing a transfer from city rivals Real Madrid.

But the side coached by Diego Simeone has given short shrift to Chelsea's overtures, and for that matter several approaches concerning their players.

Chelsea were informed that their €60 million offer would not be enough to release the midfielder, whose contract includes a release clause of €120m.

Juve and United also left empty-handed

Alvaro Morata in action for Atletico Madrid. — © ProShots

Juventus and Manchester United have also received similar responses in the last few days over their own target.

Having made an abortive attempt to take Portugal sensation Joao Felix away from the Spanish capital, United returned with an offer for Matheus Cunha.

But Atletico's answer was unwavering: United's €40m bid did not tempt them to sell the 23-year-old, who has just completed his first season at the club.

Felix had previously been the subject of a €130m bid which met with a resounding no from the Wanda Metropolitana.

United's final option from Atletico now appears to be ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, but their chances of striking a deal also seem slim.

That, at least, is the conclusion from Juventus' attempt to take the player back from Turin, also for €40m, and also rejected by the Colchoneros.

In total Atletico have turned down €250m for four players in the space of a few days, a strong show of intent from the La Liga side which has had the knock-on effect of throwing Chelsea and United's plans into disarray.