Atletico Madrid Insist No Deal is Being Discussed for Soldado

Atletico Madrid insist there have been no discussions over the purchase of Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado as the Spaniard reportedly seeks a new home after a disappointing season in the Premier League.

Soldado broke Spurs' transfer record when he made the move to White Hart Lane last summer but after manager Andre Villas-Boas was sacked he has struggled for game time with Tim Sherwood preferring Emmanuel Adebayor.

With another manger now in Mauricio Pochettino there appears to be even more uncertainty over Soldado's future and the 29-year-old was touted for a possible move to La Liga-winners Atletico as a replacement for the outgoing Diego Costa.

However this week fans began an online petition to stop Soldado joining the side, with part of the anger at his possible arrival believed to be coming from his graduation from Real Madrid's youth academy.

And now Atletico president Enrique Cerezo insists that nothing has been said over a possible deal with Tottenham for the hitman, who scored just two goals from open play in the Premier League last season.

"Soldado and [Alvaro] Negredo? I haven't heard anything from the coaching staff about them," he said.

This week the Mirror reported that Soldado would likely stay at Tottenham despite hoping for a move back to Spain. With Pochettino yet to make his intentions with the striker clear he could yet be given more chances in north London this season to find the form that saw him starring at Valencia before his move.

But after being left out of Vincent Del Bosque's provisional World Cup squad it would appear that Soldado's confidence is at an all-time low.

He was insistent in March that he would fight for his place at Tottenham though, thanking the fans for their support.

"If all this had happened to me when I was 22, I would have probably returned home after a month, but I believe it is a positive experience for me, my family and for the education of my children," he told Radio Onda Cero.

"I am the only one responsible for my poor form, but I will get better. We have a great team.

"Every time I touch the ball I feel there is great expectation and people are hoping for the best for me - I feel wanted here even though I haven't given them anything at the moment."