Atletico Madrid have joined Fulham and Lazio in the race for Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon, according to Simon Jones of The Daily Mail.
Fulham and Lazio were already keen on the 25-year-old, who is set to depart North London after falling down the pecking order under Antonio Conte, and the La Liga giants have entered talks with Spurs over a potential move.
Atletico Madrid Enter Talks With Tottenham for Sergio Reguilon
A Return to La Liga?
Reguilon joined Spurs in 2020 after a highly successful loan spell at Sevilla from parent club Real Madrid, where he won the Europa League and established himself as one of the most exciting full-backs in Spain.
The Spaniard initially impressed after his £23 million move from Real, who inserted a buyback clause in the deal to take him to Tottenham, but he is not in favour with Antonio Conte, who became Tottenham manager a year after Reguilon joined the club.
The arrivals of Ivan Perisic and Destiny Udogie in the summer and the improved form of Ryan Sessegnon means that there is very limited potential for game time at left-wingback for Reguilon, and a move away looks certain, whether on loan or permanently.
Should Reguilon choose Atletico Madrid, he will return to the city where he was born and raised before coming through the ranks at Real Madrid, and playing in a familiar environment could help him return to his best form.
Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi has been linked with several clubs, including Nottingham Forest, and should he depart, Reguilon would provide a like-for-like replacement as a two-way full-back.
A Trip Across London
A stumbling block in any potential move to Atletico Madrid is that Reguilon may not want to depart the Premier League after just two seasons, with Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that the left-back would prefer to stay in the Premier League over a move to Italian side Lazio.
Fulham may be the strongest contenders in this case despite the other two clubs being able to offer European football, and Marco Silva would be keen to add a player of Reguilon’s quality to his newly-promoted squad.
(🟢) Reguilon prefers to stay in the Premier League despite Lazio interest. Fulham are now leading the race for the Spaniard. #THFC @DiMarzio
— The Spurs Watch (@TheSpursWatch) August 25, 2022
Attacking Threat
Whoever signs Reguilon out of Fulham, Lazio or Atletico Madrid will be picking up a defender who can also provide quality in the opposition half.
Reguilon notched up nine assists in his two seasons at Tottenham and chipped in with three goals and five assists during his one season at Sevilla. With all three sides in need of quality at fullback, there will be a fierce battle to secure his signature.
With Atletico Madrid often deploying Yannick Carrasco as a wing-back, Reguilon would provide strong competition for the Belgian as well as being able to slot into Diego Simeone’s system with ease.
In addition to his technical quality, Reguilon would provide a lot of pace both going forward and defensively, making him ideal for a side such as Fulham to play on the counter-attack.
Atletico Madrid have already opened talks to explore Sergio Reguilón deal with Tottenham. He's more than appreciated, waiting for developments on Renan Lodi situation. 🔴 #Atleti #THFC
Many clubs are looking for left backs – domino effect next week. pic.twitter.com/6QsPMwc95m
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2022
Out of Conte’s plans
Reguilon is one of many players signed in the previous three years who have no place in Conte’s new-look Tottenham side. Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy N’Dombele have both already left the club on loan, whilst the likes of Bryan Gil and Harry Winks could still move on before the window shuts.
Conte previously stated in a press conference via Charlie Eccleshare: “I was very clear during the press conference before the game (against Wolves). The squad is this – if someone goes, someone has to come in.”
With seven signings already confirmed, there is a high chance that the likes of Reguilon and Gil will find an exit before the end of the month.
