Atlético offer Gaitán to CSL side, who would prefer Torres instead
Talks are ongoing with Dalian Yifang over Yannick Carrasco but Atleti are keen to offload the Argentinean. However, the CSL side have inquired about El Niño.
The involvement of Wang Jianlin's Wanda Group with Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang has led to inevitable interest in another of the Chinese congolmerate's investments, Atlético Madrid, and the acquisition of some big-name players from Diego Simeone's squad.
Talks have been ongoing for some time about a possible move for Yannick Carrasco, who has fallen out of favour at the Metropolitano, but Atlético suggested a different player during that discussion: Nicolás Gaitán. Atlético tried to offload the Argentinean midfielder in the January market without success but with the Chinese window still open view a loan deal as a mutually beneficial arrangement.
However, Gaitán is not keen on a move to the CSL at this stage while Dailan have set their sights on another Atlético player with a more marketable name and a better return on the pitch this season: Fernando Torres.
Torres nearing Atlético exit
Simeone refused to be drawn on Torres' future in a recent press conference but it seems unlikely that manager and player are in the best of situtations after the Argentinean said he would not fight to retain the World Cup-winner as he has done with Antoine Griezmann.
Atlético are under no pressure to sell after loaning Luciano Vietto to Valencia and sealing a permanent deal for Diogo Jota at Wolves, but the club will not stand in Carrasco's way of he decides to leave.
Torres' situation is slightly different. Not only is he a fan favourite at his boyhood club but he has also been starting games recently - if not regularly - and has chipped in with five goals this season.
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