Atletico Madrid are planning on selling back-up goalkeeper Ivo Grbic to the Premier League this January before his contract expires, and already have a replacement lined-up.
Grbic is out of contract this summer, and has previously been linked with a move to Dinamo Zagreb, but now Sheffield United have appeared on the scene. Luca Bendoni says a deal is imminent.
Atletico Madrid and Horaţiu Moldova have already reached an agreement for 4 seasons.
[: @MatteMoretto] pic.twitter.com/mUZx45j6rK
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 19, 2024
Their replacement looks likely to be Horatiu Moldovan, who plays for Rapid Bucharest. The 25-year-old, who has 8 caps for Romania, has a release clause of around €1m, meaning the deal will not be a pricey one for Los Rojiblancos. Relevo believe the deal will be closed soon, as Atletico already have a four-year contract agreement with Moldovan. Real Betis were also interested, but it appears Atleti have moved ahead of them.
JUST IN: Ivo Grbic is close to joining Premier League side Sheffield United on a permanent deal.@LucaBendoni pic.twitter.com/IpBtaYAn9j
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 19, 2024
Moldovan is unlikely to see much game time behind Jan Oblak. The Slovenian shot-stopper is contracted until 2028, and will be 35 when his contract expires. Moldovan may hope to convince the coaches that he can eventually take over from Oblak though.
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