Atletico prepare bid for rival’s Baptista

Atletico Madrid are set to make a move for Real Madrid attacking midfielder Julio Baptista according to website goal.com. However, Atletico first have to persuade local rivals Real to lower thier valuation of the Brazilian before they can make thier move.

The interest of numerous clubs, including two English clubs, has seen Baptista’s price tag slowly rise this summer to over £14 million. Atletico boss Javier Aguirre is believed to have asked the Atletico board to make a direct enquiry to Real Madrid and see if Los Merengues will lower thier price for the Brazilian.

A return to England is unlikely for Baptista who publicly stated his dislike for English culture and weather whilst at Arsenal. Whilst Aguirre sees Baptista as an ideal signing to bolster his squad further after the signings of John Heitinga from Ajax and Thomas Ujfalusi from Fiorentina.

Baptista may welcome the offer of regular first-team football at Atletico after finding his chances at Real Madrid limited since returning from a loan spell at Arsenal. The Brazilian is likely to make his decision after he has returned from International duty with Brazil

[Source: Goal.com]