Man Utd, Arsenal boosted as Atletico prepare to sell £58m star

Atletico Madrid may be willing to sell Juventus and Manchester United target Jose Maria Gimenez, according to a report.

Gimenez, 22, is recently understood to have penned a new deal to commit his future to Atletico until 2020, although no official confirmation has been issued by the La Liga club.

His deal was set to expire in June 2018, but Atletico moved to protect the value of the Uruguayan centre-back, who has previously admitted his desire to play in the Premier League.

Arsenal as well as United have been linked with a move for the former Danubio man, who Atletico will listen to offers for according to Calciomercato.

Gimenez has a release clause of £58million and that may well be the sticking point for the player, who has made 10 appearances this season.

The tough-tackling defender held talks with the Gunners last season when their move for German defender Skhodran Mustafi appeared to be on the rocks.

However, Arsenal managed to get the deal with Mustafi over the line so instead shelved their interest in the centre-half for the time being.

Manchester United scouts have also watched the player over the last two years. They have watched him numerous times, including in September 2016 when they were present at Atletico’s 1-0 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.

Jose Mourinho though opted to sign Victor Lindelof from Benfica this summer, although such has been the Swede’s struggle to get to grips with life at Old Trafford, United may well still be considering Gimenez with the prospect of dumping Lindelof.

Gimenez signed for Atletico for around £750,000 in July 2013 from Uruguayan outfit Danubio, but the 6ft 1in centre-back’s value has soared since then.

He has however only made four league starts this time around and Atletico will be able to sign a replacement for him in January, if they allow him to leave, when their transfer ban expires.