Espanyol midfielder, Joan Verdu will reportedly leave the Catalan club and sign a three-year contract with Atletico Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

verduAccording to Barcelona-based radio station, RAC1, after contract negotiations have stalled with Espanyol over the past several months, and despite Verdu´s repeated commitment to remain with the club, he is free to negotiate with other clubs as of this January and is reportedly in the final stages of negotiations to join Atletico Madrid when the transfer window opens on the 1st July, with both sides agreeing to the deal.

Verdu has repeatedly fended off questions regarding his renewal, stating that, “My agent knows where my priorities are, but I cannot close any doors.  He will continue to do what is best for me.  There has been a few offers and I told him not to discard them all.”

Espanyol president, Joan Collet recently revealed that due to the club´s lack of financial stability, they will be unable to compete with big budget clubs.

“If Joan Verdu, a first team midfielder, has offers from abroad, it will be difficult for us to match them.  He is 29 years old and it´s logical that he wants to sign a good contract.”

While the deal has yet to be confirmed by either side, it appears that Espanyol are resigned to the fact that Verdu will leave the club and join Atletico Madrid in their poential Champions League campaign next season.

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