Atletico: PSG star Cavani passes medical in Madrid
The Rojiblancos moved to deny the Uruguayan was at the Metropolitano on Sunday, but if he was he would have seen how much Diego Simeone needs him.
To taxes and death can be added a goalless Atlético Madrid game as Diego Simeone’s side stumbled to another draw against Leganés, who arrived at the Metropolitano on Sunday propping up the Liga table. The Rojiblancos’ need for a striker has never been more acute and according to reports in France, PSG and Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani was also in Madrid at the time Atlético were firing blanks to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed move to LaLiga after finding himself surplus to requirements under Thomas Tuchel.
Atlético moved to deny that Cavani had been given the once-over by the club’s doctors but the 32-year-old was omitted from the PSG squad for the game against Lille after sitting out the Coupe de la Ligue semi-final victory over Stade Reims with a groin strain. Since recovering from a hip injury in October Cavani has seen his game time drastically reduced by the form of Mauro Icardi and his last two Ligue 1 outings have reaped just seven minutes on the pitch.
PSG not budging over Cavani fee
A January move is the perfect solution for both parties: Cavani is out of contract at the end of the season and eager for more game time and Atlético, who have drawn a blank in eight games this campaign and failed to find the net in their last two league outings, are in desperate need of a proven goalscorer. However, PSG are holding out for an improved offer after Atlético tabled a bid of €15m. The Parisians are not in a rush to wave goodbye to their record goalscorer and Tuchel is keen to retain him as cover for the prolific Icardi.
Simeone’s side have managed to score just 22 times in 21 Liga games; only Eibar, Valladolid, Celta, Leganés and Espanyol have scored fewer, and they occupy five of the bottom six places in the table. A long-term injury to Diego Costa and Álvaro Morata’s recent profligacy have contributed to the issue, but neither have any of Simeone’s squad stepped up. After Morata, the side’s highest scorer is Ángel Correa with five.