Atletico Madrid President: Koke Is Not For Sale
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo spoke to Foro Nuevo Murcia and insisted that midfielder and Chelsea FC target Koke is not for sale this summer. Four members of Atletico Madrid’s La Liga winning squad including Diego Costa, Koke, Filipe Luis, and Tiago Mendes have been linked with moves to Chelsea Football Club and several others have been linked with other clubs. Atletico is flush with more cash than usual but they are still a club on the small side compared to the European giants and may look to cash in on some of their stars.
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Atletico Madrid and Cerezo are more than likely simply posturing to maintain the leverage they have. They are a stable club as Cerezo proclaims but they are usually a selling club especially when it comes to their star players. Koke has been linked to his fair share of clubs with the most popular rumor being a double swoop by Chelsea for him and striker Diego Costa but nothing has materialized yet.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo on Koke and his centerbacks:
"“He is our player and he will continue with us. They know that very well. We are not a selling club. We are a stable club. And I insist: Koke wants to play for Atletico, he is our franchise player and will continue to be a Rojiblanco. There’s nothing else to add.”It’s very hard today to find a defensive pairing like Miranda and Godin, almost impossible. I believe that, as with Koke, they will continue here. If you have to leave and you want to go, I refer you to the clause. (Guilherme) Siqueira has been spoken about as a possible substitute. Siqueira is a good player. If someone goes, we will try to bring in someone better.”"
The sharks are circling around Atletico Madrid’s squad and Cerezo is doing his best to keep the squad together and at least maintain the facade that they will not sell their stars. Atletico prides itself on its tremendous scouting network and if the stars such as Koke do leave the club then they certainly have the expertise and resources to replace him and every one else that departs.
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