Something of a defender exchange could be on the cards between La Liga giants Barcelona and Atlético Madrid this summer.
That’s according to journalist Gerard Romero of Jijantes, who has today provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes at both Barca, and Atléti.
The former, it is claimed, have been monitoring a key member of Diego Simeone’s defensive setup in Spain’s capital for some time now.
The player in question? Mario Hermoso.
Stopper Hermoso has continued to play a starring role in Atlético’s colours across the season to date, featuring from the off in no fewer than 30 outings across all competitions.
And yet, as the weeks pass, the 28-year-old appears to be inching ever closer to an exit from the Wanda Metropolitano.
Hermoso’s contract is due to expire in the summer, with little progress, to this point, having been made in negotiations towards a renewal.
The transfer team at Barcelona, in turn, are ready to swoop, having been ‘exploring’ the potential signing of the Spanish international for some months.
And, should such a move ultimately come to fruition, Hermoso could well be replaced in Madrid by a current member of the defensive ranks in Barcelona.
Romero points towards Marcos Alonso as a profile appreciated by the powers that be at the Metropolitano, with the former Chelsea man’s ability to line out at either left-back or centre-back making him an attractive target.
Crucially, like Hermoso, he is also set to see his terms in Catalunya expire in the summer.
This could make Alonso a low-risk, high-reward addition, taking into account the fact that Atléti are unlikely to secure any form of fee for the outgoing Hermoso.
An unusual ‘exchange’, as a result, could well be in store with a view to next season.
Conor Laird | GSFN
