Atletico deny Forlan offered to Real

Atletico Madrid Thursday denied a report they had offered to sell Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan to crosstown rivals Real.

“Every time there is something, I have never had a problem talking about it,” said Atletico chairman Enrique Cerezo. “In the case of Forlan, nothing happened, we don’t know anything.”

Spanish sports daily Marca said Wednesday that Atletico had offered to sell Forlan, voted the best player at the World Cup, to Real for 18 million euros, about half his buyout clause as coach Quique Sanchez Flores is unhappy with him.

It said the offer did not come directly from Atletico but through an authorized intermediary.

“There is no problem between Quique and Forlan,” said Cerezo. “Their relationship is perfect. When (Forlan) starts scoring goals, no one will say any more.”

Forlan, 31, who has reportedly drawn interest from Tottenham and Juventus, has had a disappointing start to this season, scoring just three league goals, the last on September 11.