Atletico keeping an eye on Manchester United midfielder.
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Newly crowned La Liga champions Atletico Madrid’s arrival at football’s top table this summer has seen Diego Simeone’s men linked with a number of players from top Premier League clubs, with the Metro now suggesting that they are monitoring the situation of Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa.
Despite securing the signing of winger Antoine Griezmann from domestic rivals Real Sociedad, Simeone still seems keen to add another attacking midfield player to his squad – and Kagawa could fit the bill, having struggled to impact upon the United set-up since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2012.
Whilst the report doesn’t suggest that a bid from Atletico is imminent, it is by no means out of the question that United could be tempted to sell a player whose position in the side has been compromised by the arrival of Juan Mata – and could be further under threat should Arturo Vidal join from Juventus.
Despite suggestions of a return to Borussia Dortmund, where Kagawa remains highly thought of by manager Jurgen Klopp, but no move from the Bundesliga runners-up has been forthcoming, potentially clearing a path for Atletico.
Selling Kagawa may also free up additional funds for van Gaal, who is yet to secure a deal for Vidal and may also wish to strengthen a central defence that has been significantly weakened by the departure of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand on free transfers.