Real Madrid jump ahead of Arsenal in the queue for Atletico defender Jose Gimenez
Drew Bartle Head Sports Editor
One of Arsenal’s reported top targets in defence, Uruguayan international defender Jose Gimenez at Atletico Madrid is seemingly set for a move across the city to rivals Real Madrid, with the Champions League winners keen to trigger his release clause (via talkSPORT).
The 23-year old Jose Gimenez was instrumental in Atletico Madrid finishing above Real Madrid in the La Liga table, as well as helping the club to yet another Europa League title against Marseille a couple of weeks back in Lyon.
Real Madrid and Arsenal are both more than aware of the Uruguayan’s £53 million transfer release clause, which for a top class defender is a pretty decent sounding deal in the current state of this inflated market.
Arsenal’s recruitment team had, according to talkSPORT, been scouting Jose Gimenez for a number of months with a ‘formal bid’ anticipated this summer, likely with the new manager Unai Emery’s seal of approval on a defender that has played 38 games this season – scoring twice and assisting a couple too.
Having moved to Atletico back in 2013 from Uruguayan side Danubio Football Club, Gimenez has won the Spanish La Liga title, Spanish Super Cup and the Europa League – becoming an established part of the manager Diego Simeone’s impressive back-line.
Although Arsenal are still in with a shout, it would appear that if Real Madrid do make a bid for their rivals defender the Gunners can only hope that Gimenez turns down a move to a direct rival and hurting his legacy at Atletico.
Arsenal and their fans will have had a really close look at what Jose Gimenez can do when the two clubs met in the Europa League semi-finals – with only one goal being put past the Atletico defence and goal over the two legs, and finishing 2-1 to the Spaniards.
