Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez is on the radar of Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester United.
Jose Gimenez, 29, has been a crucial cog in Atletico Madrid’s system under Diego Simeone. However, the Uruguayan international has struggled with fitness problems in the recent few seasons. He has endured an injury-hit campaign at the Wanda Metropolitano and fallen out of favour.
Diego Simeone has preferred the likes of Mario Hermoso, Stefan Savic and Axel Witsel in a back-three system, limiting the 29-year-old to only nine La Liga starts this season. Overall, he has made 28 appearances but much of those have come off the bench.
Atletico Madrid are contemplating selling Gimenez in the summer as they feel he can still fetch a decent fee in the transfer market. A host of clubs are interested in the Uruguayan defender, who seems to have run his race in Atletico colours. Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly keen on Gimenez, while there’s also interest from Atletico’s La Liga rivals Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea set to battle Man United for Jose Gimenez
Jose Gimenez is a hugely experienced defender with a European pedigree, having proven his worth at Atletico Madrid. He will undoubtedly have the pull to join any top side across the continent, as Atletico will offload him from their payroll at the end of the campaign.
Chelsea have struggled defensively under Mauricio Pochettino and aim to reinforce their backline. Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill have all blown hot and cold throughout the 2023/24 season, while Wesley Fofana continues to be on the sidelines owing to a serious knee injury. In addition, Thiago Silva has entered the final phase of his career, and the Blues are looking at options to replace the veteran Brazilian.
Gimenez would be a solid addition to Chelsea’s backline, which needs experience, robustness and tactical nous. Once Silva departs Stamford Bridge, the Atletico star could be purchased to replace him.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s interest in Gimenez makes sense. The 20-time English champions are scouring the market for a centre-back amid uncertainties surrounding the futures of Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire. Lisandro Martinez has spent the majority of the campaign on the sidelines whereas Victor Lindelof isn’t up to the quality to start regularly for a big club like Man United.
Gimenez has thus emerged as a viable target for the Red Devils. If Man United move on the likes of Varane, Evans and Maguire, they would need at least an experienced head to offset their departures and Gimenez would be a good option. He might not cost a bomb, especially if Atletico are desperate to offload him in the summer. So, the Red Devils may push for the no-nonsense Uruguayan’s signature to fortify their defensive unit that have been all over the place under Erik ten Hag this season.
It will be interesting to see whether Gimenez leaves Atletico after more than a decade’s service and arrives in the Premier League in the coming months amid huge interest.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
