5 July 2007, by Sean Gillen

Atletico admit swoop for Simao

Benfica captain to be targeted if Quaresma bid fails

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cecejo has confirmed that the Spanish club may turn to Benfica’s Simao Sabrosa if they cannot strike a deal with FC Porto for Ricardo Quaresma.

Quaresma is a long-term target of Los Rojiblancos’, with Atletico reportedly coming close to signing the winger in January. Porto are currently demanding 25m euros for the player, while Atletico are believed to have offered 22m.

“Everything is still the same, because Porto have still not answered out proposal,” Cecejo said when asked about the latest on Quaresma. “We will continue to wait.”

If the move for Quaresma fails, it is still possible that Atletico will have a Portuguese on the flanks next season, after Cecejo confirmed that Benfica captain Simao is also a target for the club.

“It is true, Simao interests us. It is an alternative if Quaresma doesn’t come, but it is too early to speak about that,” he said.

Atletico are currently rebuilding their squad with funds raised by the 40m euro sale of captain Fernando Torres to English side Liverpool this week.

If either Simao or Quaresma arrive at the Vicente Calderon, they will join compatriots Ze Castro, Costinha and Maniche at the club, ahead of their Intertoto Cup campaign later this month.


Related: Atletico Madrid 2006/07 season review
Related: Simao PortuGOAL profile
Related: Ricardo Quaresma PortGOAL profile