Atletico Madrid on verge of signing Portugal international

Atletico Madrid have won the race to sign Sporting winger Gelson Martins, reports Spanish outlet AS.

Martins is one of several high profile Sporting players that terminated their contract with the Portuguese giants earlier this season.

The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the past but Atletico have fended off interest from their European rivals for his signature.

Diego Simeone’s side are in complete agreement with Martins and his arrival will conclude Atletico’s thoroughly impressive summer.

The Spanish giants have already signed Thomas Lemar, Rodri and Nehuen Perez this summer, while also securing the long-term futures of Antoine Griezmann and Jose Gimenez.

Lemar and Martins will replace Nico Gaitan and Yannick Carrasco, who both departed for the Chinese Super League at the start of the year.

Atletico have stepped up their interest in Martins after Portugal were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup last weekend.

Martins only made one substitute appearance in Russia but enjoyed another positive campaign in Portugal last season, playing a direct hand in 16 goals in 31 league appearances for Sporting.

Furthermore, only Yacine Brahimi (167) completed more dribbles than Martins (81) in the Portuguese Liga NOS last term.