Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez dreams of playing in the Premier League, the player has claimed. The Uruguayan defender has been linked with a move to us but he also adds that staying at Atletico forever is something he would accept should the La Liga giants offer him a long-term contract.
The 22-year-old hasn’t been a regular for the Rojiblancos and has seen his place come under threat from Stefan Savic. Even though Gimenez is a defender with a lot of potential, there have always been grumblings that he could leave the Vicente Calderon sooner or later.
Spanish outlet AS (via IB Times) carried a report claiming that not only us, but even Manchester United are monitoring his situation in the Spanish capital. The report also adds that the 22-year-old has a release clause of €45million and wants more playing time.
Gimenez added some fuel to the fire that he does want to move away to England, if he had a chance.
“I dream of playing in the Premier League because the games are very even. I would like to go [to England] but if Atletico makes me a lifetime contract I will stay,” Gimenez was quoted by AS as he spoke to Direct TV.
“Atletico taught me a lot of things since the day I arrived to the club. I’m privileged to be here. I take with calmness the rumours about offers and I always speak about it with my agents.”
Gimenez could be looking for more playing time ahead of the World Cup and we do need players for the central defence next season. Mamadou Sakho and Lucas Leiva will leave and the need for reinforcements in this position has to be high among the priorities for Jurgen Klopp.
There is a lot of interest from the Serie A as well, with Inter Milan looking to seal a deal for the 22-year-old (AS).
We had to deal with the ignominy of having to apologize for attempting to sign Virgil van Dijk and we have to bring in someone who will add quality to the defence. Gimenez started just 12 La Liga games for Atletico last season and should he get the same number this time too, his place in the World Cup squad, should Uruguay qualify, will be in severe jeopardy.
A loan move might be a decent option for us but we must remember that Atletico have to deal with a transfer ban and won’t be signing any new players in this window. That should be enough to suggest that Gimenez is not leaving and will stay at Atletico for a few months at least.
Hopefully, we can sign a defender or two and solve that crisis soon and prepare for another season under Klopp with our aims set high.
https://youtu.be/mI9zJn1a97s
