Atletico Madrid sensationally snags Gameiro from Sevilla
Atletico Madrid has remarkably reached an agreement to sign Kevin Gameiro from La Liga rival Sevilla, a deal that went undetected by even the most whimsical transfer tattle scribes.
The forward penned a four-year contract for Diego Simeone's side with no fee currently disclosed, although the Guardian picked up reports that allege the cost to be in the region of €32 million.
(Courtesy: @atletienglish)
The transfer is subject to Gameiro, 29, completing a medical set for Saturday evening local time.
Although Atleti didn't reveal whether Luciano Vietto was included as a makeweight in the transfer, the Argentinian striker goes the other way in a loan term with an option to buy.
Gameiro was pivotal in helping deliver Sevilla three consecutive titles under Unai Emery, who has since departed to assume control of Paris Saint-Germain, and will link up with fellow Frenchman Antoine Griezmann in attack in the Spanish capital.
In landing the former Strasbourg, Lorient, and PSG attacker, Simeone has significantly bolstered his strikeforce after a 2015-16 campaign in which it fell just short of honours in La Liga and ended runner-up in the Champions League to cross-city rival Real Madrid.
The incoming Gameiro should also mean an end to rumours of a return to the Vicente Calderon Stadium for Chelsea's Diego Costa.
Conversely, there will inevitably be concern in Andalusia after the sale of a player who bagged 67 goals over three seasons, particularly when his exit appears to strengthen a side it was expected to compete with on domestic and continental fronts. Under the watch of new manager Jorge Sampaoli, however, the forays forward will now be complemented with Franco Vazquez, Joaquin Correa, Ganso, and Hiroshi Kiyotake following their respective summer arrivals.
Gameiro has the first opportunity to line up against his old club on Oct. 23, when Sevilla hosts Atleti at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.