Atlético Madrid have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Arda Turan’s replacement after winger Nicolás Gaitán expressed his desire to see out the remaining three years of his Benfica contract.
The Spanish outfit have already had an offer of €30m – €5m less than his release clause - rebuffed by Benfica and had planned more negotiations over the weekend in order to thrash out the deal.
However, it now looks like Diego Simeone will have to sound out other options with Gaitán purely focused on the future with Benfica.
“I have a contract with Benfica and will continue at Benfica, for sure,” the 27-year-old told reporters.
The Argentina international has been linked with a number of European clubs over the last few years including Manchester United, so it is not surprising that Atlético had bookmarked him as Turan’s replacement.
No Benfica player made more key passes in the Champions League than Gaitán last season (10) nor did anyone make more accurate crosses (14) than the playmaker for the Portuguese outfit.
