Croatia international hopeful of Atletico move

 

Sassuolo right-back Sime Vrsaljko has revealed he would prefer to join Atletico Madrid over Napoli and is ‘optimistic’ a deal will be concluded.

 

Vrsaljko, 24, will leave Sassuolo this summer after impressing for the Neroverdi last season with two of Europe’s biggest clubs chasing his signature.

 

Napoli had agreed a fee for the Croatia international but the full-back has snubbed their interest in favour of joining Atletico, who have reportedly agreed a five-year deal worth an initial £12.6m.

 

“Right from the first moment that this possibility started to take shape, I told Sassuolo management that Atletico Madrid was the only club I wanted to join,” Vrsaljko told Sportske Novosti, via ESPN.

 

“I also told them I don’t want to go to Napoli even though a transfer was all agreed.

 

“I can say, at least for what I know, that Atletico and Sassuolo should close the deal. I am optimistic.”

 

Croatia international hopeful of Atletico move

 

Vrsaljko was an ever present in the Sassuolo outfit that achieved Europa League football for next season.  No defender picked up more WhoScored man of the match awards in Serie A than Vrsaljko last season (4).

 

For more stats on Sime Vrsaljko, click here to visit his WhoScored player page