Atletico Madrid are reportedly considering the possibility of bringing in a replacement for Tiago Mendes, with Jeremy Toulalan’s name being mentioned.
According to Marca, Vice-President Miguel Angel Gil, sporting director Andrea Berta and Coach Diego Simeone held talks about dipping into the January transfer market in wake of Portuguese’s tibia fracture against Espanyol on Saturday.
Although Atleti have Saul Niguez, Thomas Partey and – as of January – Matias Kranevitter, for whom Los Colchoneros paid €8m, Simeone is believed to have demanded an experienced head, who ideally has not featured in the Champions League this season.
Such a profile has led Berta to suggest Toulalan, who played for Malaga between 2011 and 2013, helping the Andalucians reach the Champions League quarter-finals in his final season.
If a deal cannot be struck for the 32-year-old, who has 36 caps for France, then Atleti may turn their attentions to his Monaco teammate Joao Moutinho.
