Atletico and Milan battling for River Plate wonderkid; Dortmund chief rules out summer departures

Atletico and Milan battling for River Plate wonderkid

Atletico Madrid have offered €18 million for River Plate youngster Erik Lamela, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

Los Colchoneros have been tracking the 18-year-old midfielder for quite a while and they have now offered €18 million for his services.

Considering that the amount offered is just €2 million short of the player’s release clause, the Spaniards would be very close to finalizing the deal if they were the only interested side.

However, Milan are also keen on the promising midfielder and they already had a €12 million bid rejected few months ago.

After being informed about Atletico’s latest offer, Milan chiefs have sent emissaries to Buenos Aires and they are expected to match the bid offered by Atletico.

River president Daniel Passarella has a very close relationship with Milan, and it is therefore believed the Rossoneri will have the advantage in the negotiations.

The 18-year-old Lamela became one of the key players in the side shortly after making his debut for River Plate and he is now seen as one of the hottest prospects in Argentina.

Dortmund chief rules out summer departures

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke is adamant the club will not sell any of their players to Bayern Munich.

Several Borussia’s star players have been linked with a move to Alianz Arena, but Watzke rules out such a possibility.

“Do I fear that Bayern Munich will go after some of our players? I’m pretty sure that there will be interest in some of our players, and other clubs will try to lure some of our stars away from Dortmund,” Watzke told Bild.

“However, all our key players have long-term deals and it’s quite simple. We won’t let sell any of our stars.

“They all know where they get the best overall package. I don’t have the feeling anyone wants to leave the club.”

Players like Mats Hummels, Mario Goetze and Kevin Grosskreutz have really shined in club’s breakthrough season, although Borussia will do everything they can to keep hold of their key players.

Cheick Tiote signs a new deal

Newcastle highly rated midfielder Chieck Tiote has signed a new six-and-a-half-year deal at St James Park.

The Ivory Coast international has impressed after arriving from Twente last summer and he has now signed a new long-term deal at the club.

Alan Pardew was delighted to see Tiote sign a new contract amidst speculations that he could leave the club.

“Cheick has been immense for us this season and is exactly the type of player I want in my squad.

“He is fantastic on the pitch and in the changing room and is vital for everything we want to achieve.

“He’s adapted brilliantly to the English game and I’m delighted he’s signed a new deal with us.

“Negotiations are very, very difficult at this level of football, and I think the signing of Cheick underpins the message Mike (Ashley) wants to give, that we can build a young team here which can go forward and take the club forward.”

The player himself was delighted to be staying at St James Park.

“I am very happy to have signed this new deal with Newcastle United,” Tiote said.

“The experience of playing in the Premier League has been better than I ever hoped it could be.

“’This is a great club and the fans have been brilliant – I have never known support like it.”

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