Troubled Atletico Madrid earmarked promising Osasuna full back Cesar Azpilicueta as an option for their problem right back slot but fear that they will be unable to capture the youngster’s signature. AS reports that Atletico have given up on signing the defender any time soon due to him being too highly rated by Osasuna and thus he’d be too expensive for them.
It’s no secret that Atletico are having a terrible season; the club from the capital of Spain have already been eliminated from this season’s Champion’s League and sit 13th in their division despite expectations of a top four finish.
Manager Quique Sanchez Flores has admitted the right back spot is one of the teams biggest weaknesses and had lined up a number of transfer targets to make the position their own. However all their targets have proved elusive so far due to either not being available or simply being too expensive. This latter option is certainly the case with 20-year-old Azpilicueta who would demand a fee of at least €10 million due to his being Osasuna’s top property.
Youth academy graduate Azpilicueta broke into the Osasuna first team at the age of 18, making the most of injuries to team-mates to become a regular in the 2007/08 season. He’s retained the position of right back since, appearing in almost every game for Osasuna and becoming a Spain Under 21 international in the process.
Atletico meanwhile, not knowing where to turn to, are considering keeping faith in Czech centre back Tomas Uljfalusi to continue playing on the right with Juan Valera proving his deputy. Neither are as exciting a thought to Atletico fans as Azpilicueta would be but Atletico just won’t have the funds available unless they make player sales themselves.
[Is there any substance to this and should this transfer Fly or Die?]
