Manchester United target Joao Miranda: Atletico Madrid put defender on the market

Atletico Madrid are ready to part ways with centre-back Joao Miranda at the end of the season for a reasonable fee even though in the summer of 2014, they rejected lucrative offers from Premier League clubs to secure his services, according to reports in Spain.

The Brazil international was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea alongside former teammates Filipe Luis, Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois, while he was reportedly close to a Manchester United move

Manager Louis van Gaal was said to have earmarked him as his top target, ahead of Mats Hummels, to fill the void left by the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Spanish reports even claimed Miranda had agreed personal terms to move to Old Trafford after the Premier League giants offered him three times his salary at the Vicente Calderon.

The player confirmed his intention to move away after receiving some offers.

"I have some offers and we are negotiating. I have offers from Spanish and English leagues and from some less important ones too. My agent is in Europe to decide my future, my buy-out fee at Atletico Madrid is €30m but that can be negotiated," Miranda explained.

But the deal collapsed as Atletico Madrid considered the Brazilian a crucial member for manager Diego Simeone and refused to negotiate any fee below his €30m (£22m) release clause.

However, according to Marca, the situation has changed and Atletico will let him go in the summer.

The Spanish newspaper says the La Liga champions are ready to listen to offers for the 30-year-old defender because of his age and the impressive irruption of youngster Jose Maria Gimenez into the first team.

Furthermore, Miranda's contract at the Vicente Calderon is due to expire in the summer of 2016, so the club are open to negotiate a deal to secure a fee at the end of the season rather than letting him go for free at the end of the following campaign.

Van Gaal is said to be still looking to bolster the backline in the summer and even though it is uncertain whether he is still considering Miranda, the news from Spain may be a boost for the Dutch boss.