According to reports from The Express this afternoon, highly-rated Villarreal striker Luciano Vietto has signed for Atletico Madrid, snubbing fellow suitors Arsenal and Liverpool in the process.
The Argentina U20 was in fantastic form for the Yellow Submarines last season, bagging twelve goals and two assists in just 17 La Liga starts following his €5.5million from Racing club in summer 2014.
That, in combination with the young forward’s £14.2million release clause, had created plenty of interest in the young forward. According to reports from The Daily Star, Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool both activated his buy-out fee earlier this month.
But according to The Express, Atletico Madrid have now won the race for Vietto’s signature. Although the transfer is yet to be finalised, Villarreal president Fernando Roig said earlier today: “He (Vietto) has been sold to Atletico.”
The news follows the departure of former Champions League winner Mario Manzkuic, who agreed a move to Juventus last week.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has made no secret of his admiration for Vietto, recently comparing him to Mattress Makers great David Villa.