Udinese president: “It will be difficult to keep” Atlético-linked right-back

Atlético Madrid are intent on finding a right-back this summer, and some outlets say the club have picked Udinese’s Nahuel Molina as their man.

La Razón even go so far as to say that Udinese have already rebuffed Atlético’s first attempt at signing the right-back, a €20 million offer. They say Atlético will have to up their bid to €30 million in order to secure his services.

The Italian side’s director general, Pier Paolo Marino, has admitted it will be “difficult to keep” the 24-year-old due to the “interest he is garnering.”

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The Argentina international Molina scored seven goals last season with two assists in 35 games last season, with performances good enough to alert several teams of his potential.

Marino would like one team in particular to make an enticing bid, though — and it’s not Atlético.

“I hope an Italian side can make a bid and improve on it,” he said. “I think Juventus have the capacity to do it.”

Atlético already did business with Udinese as recently as last summer, when they made Rodrigo de Paul the most expensive LaLiga signing of 2021. Molina is currently with the Argentine national squad where players like his former team-mate de Paul and potential future teammate Ángel Correa are also currently on duty.

With Daniel Wass reportedly surplus to requirements and Šime Vrsaljko uncertain to accept a new contract at a reduced salary, it is fundamental for Atlético to sign a new first-choice right-back this summer.