Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is on the hunt for defensive reinforcements in January and is considering a shock move for Leicester City center-back Caglar Soyuncu, according to reports.
The Foxes defender has featured just once in the Premier League this season and seems to have fallen out of favor with Brendan Rodgers after a lack of minutes on the pitch.
The 26-year-old is reportedly valued at around £ 22 million, but Atletico may be able to get a cut-price deal as the Turk’s contract terminates at the end of the season.
It’s no secret Simeone’s team is in the market for defensive reinforcements as part of the Argentine’s plans to add more quality to the team.
In the center-back position, Los Rojiblancos lack assurance due to transfer interest and injuries to two of their key players.
There is currently uncertainty over the future of Mario Hermoso, as well as their other center-half Felipe, while Stefan Savic has also struggled with injuries.
With that in mind, Atletico is keen to bring in at least one more center-back in January and Soyuncu is currently top of the list.
This is according to a report by Diario AS, who claim Simeone and co are attempting a repeat of ‘operation Reinaldo,’ who was available for a free transfer at the end of last season, but the club decided to pay a minimal fee to sign him in January.
The gamble on Reinildo’s paid off for Atletico Madrid as the Mozambican has since become a stalwart at left-back for Simeone.
Considering Soyuncu is also out of contract at the end of this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see something similar happen with the Foxes man.
Soyuncu to Atletico could be a ‘win-win’ for Simeone and Rodgers
Before falling behind Daniel Amartey and Wout Faes in the pecking order at Leicester, Soyuncu was considered to be a consistent defender, with the ability to read the game well and an aggressive physicality that would fit with Simeone’s style of play.
Overall, in 125 appearances for the Foxes, the Turkish international has generally performed well for his team.
Last season, in 28 Premier League matches, Soyuncu averaged a solid 1.7 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, and 3.2 clearances per outing, helping his side to five clean sheets.
Of course, the center-back was also a key part of the 2020/21 Leicester side which finished fifth in the league table and won the FA Cup, playing 32 matches in that campaign.
Soyuncu has plenty of experience under his belt, too, with 51 appearances for Turkey, and has also played well in the Bundesliga with Freiburg.
With a valuation of £22m according to Transfermarkt, receiving a fee in that region would open up some much-needed funds for Leicester as Rodgers eyes reinforcements in January.
However, the Turk’s value will only decrease as he nears the end of his contract, so the fee may be much lower than that as the Foxes will be desperate to get him off the books before he can leave on a free transfer.
As for Simeone, Soyuncu would be a good, experienced defensive option to have at his disposal, which is especially important given the rumors surrounding Felipe and Hermoso.
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