Atletico Madrid is monitoring Rodrigo Bentancur (28, Tottenham).

Matteo Moreto, a reporter for the Spanish outlet 'Relevo', noted on the 23rd (Korean time) that 'Atletico Madrid is watching midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.'

The Uruguayan midfielder Bentancur joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2022 after leaving Juventus. Bentancur is a hexagonal midfielder known for his strong balance in both attack and defense, showcasing strength in simple ball release and forward passes. His smooth touch and ability to escape pressure allow for stable progression in both buildup and counterattack situations. However, due to his rough defensive play, fouls and bookings are frequent, and his creative playmaking abilities are somewhat lacking.

There was also controversy. Bentancur received a seven-match suspension and a fine from the Football Association (FA) for a racist remark directed at Son Heung-min last June. He sparked controversy with a derogatory comment about Asians and later publicly apologized via social media.

Son Heung-min accepted Bentancur's apology, stating, 'It's no problem,' but public anger did not easily subside. The FA determined that the remarks constituted racism and confirmed the disciplinary action, while Bentancur continued to deny it.

In this context, news has emerged that Atletico Madrid is interested in acquiring Bentancur. Moreto reported that 'Atletico is actively seeking a center-back and central midfielder. This is merely a surface-level reinforcement goal; in reality, a broader range of positional reinforcements is needed.'

'What I would like to add is that if Antoine Griezmann is more likely to transfer to Major League Soccer after the season, they also need to secure a player to replace him in the attack,' he noted.

'First of all, the player Atletico is currently interested in is midfielder Bentancur from Tottenham. He also played for Juventus and, at 27 years old, he has played a total of 32 games for Tottenham this season,' he explained.

'When asked if negotiations are currently taking place, it is difficult to answer affirmatively. However, it is understood that Atletico is making preliminary contact with an eye on the June transfer window,' he noted.

Meanwhile, Moreto added, 'Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked to Real Madrid for almost a year, and this coming April will be a pivotal time for his future. Real still considers signing Alexander-Arnold a top priority and there has been significant progress.'

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