Atletico at 'very advanced' stage to sign Lyon attacker, confirms Simeone

Los Rojiblancos lost one of their long-serving players in January but their manager seems confident of getting a replacement.

Diego Simeone has confirmed Atletico Madrid are close to sealing the transfer of Lyon’s Moussa Dembele.

Atletico are keen on adding a striker to their ranks as they look to fill the void created by the departure of Diego Costa who terminated his contract six months early in December.

Dembele is expected to arrive at the Wanda Metropolitano on an initial loan deal until the end of the season. Should the Frenchman impress during that duration, the La Liga leaders will reportedly be able to make his move permanent for €35 million.

Paperworks completed between Atléti and OL for Moussa Dembele. Loan with buy option [and *no* obligation] confirmed. Medicals pending then he’ll be the new Atléti striker approved by Simeone, and Slimani will be his replacement at OL from #lcfc. Here we go confirmed. 🔴⚪️ #atleti https://t.co/hpdgYlcZ4g
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2021

“It’s still not confirmed, but it’s very advanced,” the Atletico head coach told reporters ahead of the crunch La Liga clash against Sevilla, via beIN SPORTS.

“I’m going to turn my head towards the game, which is what interests me, and when there’s something [on Dembele], if there is something, I’ll give an opinion.”

Dembele hit 24 goals in 46 games across all competitions in 2019-20 but has lacked that goalscoring touch this term, scoring just once in 16 Ligue 1 appearances so far.