Manchester City Striker Alvaro Negredo Expresses Desire to Join Atletico Madrid

Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo has expressed his desire to join Atletico Madrid ahead of the 2014/15 season, according to reports in Spain.

Negredo - who joined City from Sevilla in July last year for €25m - was close to signing for Los Rojiblancos last season as a replacement for Radamel Falcao following his move to Monaco before opting for the Premier League. He enjoyed a goal-laden first half of the season at the Etihad but after suffering injury in the new year lost his place in the starting line-up in favour of Edin Dzeko.

Diego Simeone faces the same situation that befell him last summer with Diego Costa all but certain to join Chelsea, leaving him with the task of finding an adequete replacement for the Spanish international.

According to Daily AS, Atletico are considering Negredo as their new frontman ahead of the summer transfer window – and the striker has expressed his desire to return to Spain given his squad status at the Etihad.

Negredo's situation could worsen if City elect to add to their front line with AS claiming that they could be monitoring Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani– who said in February he would welcome the chance to play under Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho or City's Manuel Pellegrini.

However, Atletico are also monitoring their main target Romelu Lukaku. AS suggest Los Rojiblancos are leading the race to secure his services, claiming that they "have almost closed" an agreement with Chelsea for his loan move to the Vicente Calderon next season.

The Belgian international spent the last campaign on loan at Everton, scoring 15 goals in all competitions, but he is still out of Jose Mourinho's first team plans. However, Roberto Martinez is desperately trying to keep him at Goodison Park for one more season, while Tottenham have also been linked with his services in recent months.