After denying Milan-linked De Paul being Atletico Madrid bound, Udinese director Pierpaolo Marino has clarified his comments on the Argentinian midfielder.
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He is now standing form on the fact that a deal with Los Rojiblancos is almost done. According to his earlier comments, a host of other clubs were interested and still in the running to land De Paul because there was still a ‘considerable distance’ between the Friulians and Atleti.
Speaking to Tutti Convocati (via football-italia.net), the director has clarified his statements, confirming that ‘the deal is on a home stretch’.
“The deal is not closed yet, but it is on the home stretch. At the moment, we are still talking about a great Udinese player. It’s only right that at the age of 27 he wants to leave for a new experience and when he does, we’ll be ready to replace him,” he said.
According to various sources, Atletico are ready to pay up for €35m plus €3m in performance-related bonuses. The four-year-contract deal is €3.5m per season, with the highly-rated midfielder also having agreed personal terms of contract. Milan will have to look into another promising player, after losing Turkish attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu to the Nerrazzuri.