Atletico Madrid will have to meet the €20m release clause in Luciano Vietto’s Villarreal contract if they want the forward.
Vietto was this week named as Atletico’s preferred option for a summer attacking signing but Marca reports the Yellow Submarine aren’t willing to let the player go.
That would force Atletico into meeting Vietto’s release clause, which stands at €20m, complicating matters if not pricing the former champions out.
Atletico can pay the required amount thanks to their continued presence in the Champions League, Marca say, but it must also be considered that the club aren’t the sole rights-holders.
Vietto’s former club Racing – at which he played under Diego Simeone – have a percentage too, although it is for Villarreal to decide on any transfer offer.
There’s not expected to be any more movement on the proposed transfer until after the Champions League final, on June 6, while Vietto’s agent is known to have been in England in recent weeks.
Barcelona had also been interested in Vietto but their transfer ban means they’re not expected to be a factor.
