Diego Simeone is still hopeful defender Sime Vrsaljko will remain at Atletico Madrid despite reports of an imminent move to Inter.
The Croatian international has been heavily linked with a move to the Nerazzurri while reports suggested Atleti had already agreed a deal with PSV Eindhoven’s Santiago Arias to replace him.
“I hope he can continue with us,” Simeone told reporters on Saturday, as cited by Diario AS.
The 26-year-old has been continually linked with a move to Serie A in recent months, with Napoli having offers rejected in January while Roma are also being linked.
The right-back extended his contract at Los Rojiblancos until June 2022 in February and the club will reportedly not countenance a sale below €25-30m.
The Nerazzurri had Joao Cancelo on loan from Valencia last season, but they couldn’t afford his buyout clause and he has since joined Juventus in a €40m deal.
Vrsaljko, who can also operate on the left side of defence, has previous experience of playing in Italy with Genoa and Sassuolo, before joining Atletico in 2016 for a €16m fee.