Atletico Madrid have identified Gremio defender Walter Kannemann as a replacement for Inter-bound Diego Godin, report Marca.
Uruguayan central defender Godin is widely reported to be joining the Italian club this summer, having made just shy of 400 first-team appearances for Atleti since 2010.
"I don't know [of the interest], I have no idea of that," he stated."Cholo [Simeone's nickname] was my coach at San Lorenzo."It was a very short period."Now I am just thinking about Gremio and winning the Brazilian title."
“I have no comment or information on any interest,” Kannemann is cited as saying by Marca.
“All I am thinking about is Gremio and winning the Brazilian title.”
The defender is nicknamed ‘The Viking’ and his contract at the Brazilian club contains a €20m release clause, putting him within reach of the Madrid club’s budget.
The 27-year-old previously played under Diego Simeone when the two were at San Lorenzo and Marca report of Atleti’s interest, citing Brazilian outlet Esporte Interativo.
Kannemann is now in his sixth season in Gremio’s first-team squad and won three caps for Argentina in 2018.
