Atletico join race for Hernanes

Italian TV station Mediaset is reporting that Atletico Madrid are set to launch an assault on Lazio midfielder Hernanes.

Los Colchoneros believe the Brazilian would be a great addition to the squad at Vicente Calderon that already has the likes of Arda Turan, Koke and Oliver Torres in the creative department.

Atletico officials are hoping to sign Hernanes next summer on a cut-price deal seeing as how the player’s contract at Lazio is due to expire in June 2015.

The midfielder looks set to leave Stadio Olimpico in the near future after refusing a new contract offer, but los Colchoneros could face a stiff competition from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain.

While Arsenal are no longer in the race having signed Mesut Ozil, the Saints are hot on the trail of the 28-year-old footballer as Laurent Blanc hopes to add another high-profile player to the centre of the park.

Hernanes has been in scintillating form since joining Lazio from Sao Paulo, scoring 31 goals in 103 Serie A appearances.