While Atlético Madrid look to solve the João Félix, Conor Gallagher and Samu Omorodion transfer triangle, the club are continuing to work on targets in two key areas with N’Golo Kanté a serious target for the La Liga side.
Gallagher’s situation remains up in the air and after the signing of Javi Guerra fell through, the coaching staff are searching for a market opportunity for a midfielder who can play in a pivot. The 33-year-old Frenchman plays for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League and recently impressed at EURO 2024 where he showed that he has not lost his world-class talent.
An obstacle in the deal for Kanté is his wages, which have significantly increased since his move to Saudi. The red and white club would need the defensive midfielder to take a drastic pay cut as they would be unable to match his current financial package.
Atlético have opened talks with his brother to find out his current situation and to gauge whether he would be open to the move. Kanté’s camp have warmed to the idea and have suggested that he would like to embrace this challenge as it would fulfil his ambition of playing again at the highest level in the UEFA Champions League.
As reported by Relevo, Atlético believe this is a smart market opportunity, as the player arrived at the Saudi club on a free and therefore his departure could be negotiated at a price well below what is being quoted for a player like Gallagher.
Ideally the club also want to bring in a left-footed centre back with Dávid Hancko and Piero Hincapié the most popular names on their list, but it is Kanté who is now considered a priority target.
