Atletico reject big bucks from Chelsea and Real Madrid

LONDON: Chelsea have failed with a stunning £52mil swoop for Sergio Aguero and Diego Godin, claim Atletico Madrid.

The Spaniards insist the Blues offered that amount but they are refusing to sell either Argentina hitman Aguero or Uruguay’s Godin.

Real Madrid also tried to nab Aguero, 22, by meeting his £38mil get-out clause – but they too were turned away by their La Liga rivals.

Aguero has bagged 89 goals in 217 games for Atletico, while 24-year-old defender Godin has 43 international caps and three goals.

Atletico general director Miguel Angel Gil Marin said: “Yesterday I received an offer of £38 million from Real Madrid for Aguero and I said ‘no’.

“This very week Chelsea were giving me £52 million for him and Godin and I told them exactly the same thing.

“I won’t negotiate the sale of Aguero with Real Madrid or any other club – not now and not in the summer, either.”

Coach Sanchez Flores guided Atletico to victory in the Europa League final and runners-up spot in the King’s Cup last season but has been questioned after a disappointing run of form.

Atletico are out of the Europa League, were dumped out of the King’s Cup by city rivals Real and lost 1-0 at struggling Sporting Gijon on Sunday to slip 10 points off the Champions League qualification slots.

“Sanchez Flores will be coach until the end of the season. At the end of the campaign we will talk,” majority share-holder Gil told the club website (
www.clubatleticodemadrid.com).

Real Madrid’s search for a striker to stand in for the injured Gonzalo Higuain has seen Atletico’s Argentina international Aguero linked with a move to the Bernabeu.

After selling Simao Sabrosa and buying in Elias and Juanfran, Gil said there would be no more activity in the January transfer window.