Atletico Madrid not impressed by Real`s offers

Atletico Madrid could have earned a fortune this summer if they had accepted the numerous offers clubs like Real Madrid did.

If they`ve sold players like Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Simao Sabrosa and Paulo Assuncao this summer, Atletico would have collected € 120 million.

Especially Forlan was a hot target for clubs like bitter rival Real Madrid. Various players were offered by Los Merengues to lure last year`s European top scorer out of the Vicente Calderon-stadium.

Atletico-president Miguel Angel Gil Marin explains why he didn`t fell for Real`s offer in an interview with Cadena Ser.

“Florentino Perez (Real`s president) called me and said that he wanted to buy Forlan and as a part of the deal he offered me numerous players. Players like Gabriel Heinze, Javier Saviola, Alvaro Negredo and some Dutch players.

“But we would never sell Forlan to our arch enemy. The support of the fans is what`s most important to us,” the chairman said.

Not cashing in on his stars meant Gil Marin couldn`t buy the players he targeted.

“We were interested in Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy from Arsenal, and a Valencia-player. But we failed to make a deal.”

“Assuncao received an offer from Arsenal but he wanted to stay with Atletico. That`s a good sign. This club is growing,” concluded the president.