Atletico Madrid defender, Renan Lodi, has reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the Spanish newspaper, AS, the left-back showed various symptoms of COVID-19 at the start of March and informed the club, who monitored the situation for the last couple of weeks. Lodi and nine other Atletico Madrid players did a COVID-19 test […]

Coronavirus: Atletico Madrid defender tests positive

The 29-year-old moved to the Wanda Metropolitano last summer having fallen out of favour in north London, with the La Liga side splashing £20million on the England international.

The 29-year-old moved to the Wanda Metropolitano last summer having fallen out of favour in north London, with the La Liga side splashing £20million on the England international.

Premier League clubs including Arsenal have had their eye on Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey for some time.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) plans to award the European places to the teams currently occupying those positions if LaLiga cannot be finished this season.

Our Football Manager 2020 simulation suggests a good deal for both sides

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey has been linked with a move to Arsenal and the Gunners may have the edge in a transfer battle for his signature.

The father of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey has confirmed that his son is in talks with Arsenal over a summer transfer.

The government have been urged to conduct an investigation into links between Liverpool hosting a Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid and a spike in cases of coronavirus in the city.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey has been advised against a move to Arsenal or another Premier League club as it could "destroy" his career.

Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi has tested positive for coronavirus, while nine other Rojiblancos players have shown antibodies of the virus.

João Félix exploded onto the scene at Benfica in 2018 before a huge summer move to LaLiga with Atlético de Madrid. Here are five things you may not know about the Portuguese superstar...

1. His idol while growing up was Kaká
The similarities between the two are clear, both in playing style and appearance… brothers, anyone? But what isn’t so known is that Kaka was actually one of Joao Felix’s biggest idols growing up: the young Felix has spoken of watching YouTube video after YouTube video of the former World Player of the Year. The 20-year-old has also named Portuguese legend Rui Costa among his other inspirations while growing up.

2. Both his parents are teachers
Carlos and Carla, Joao’s parents, are both physical education teachers and he credits them with keeping him centred growing up. He has explained in interviews that his father would give him pep talks before matches and helped him stay focused during his teenage years; at the age of just 13 years he moved away from home to FC Porto’s academy, before later making the move to the capital with Benfica.

3. His first hat-trick in the Europa League was record-breaking
In April 2019, Joao hit the headlines across Europe with a stunning performance for Benfica in a Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt. By scoring three times in a 4-2 victory, he became the youngest ever player to score a hat-trick in the Europa League, doing so at the age of just 19 years and 152 days. That broke the previous record set by Marko Pjaca in 2014.

4. Diego Costa has taken him under his wing
From the start of pre-season, Joao and Diego Costa have forged a strong relationship. Costa is known to be a leader in the Atlético de Madrid dressing room and he quickly took the new arrival from Benfica under his wing, spending a lot of time with him and partnering with him in various drills. Both players are native Portuguese speakers, and this has helped the youngster settle in. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that it was Costa who assisted Joao’s first official goal for Atleti, against Eibar back in September.

5. His brother Hugo is also a highly rated prospect
Hugo Felix, João’s 16-year-old brother, is also highly rated and is doing well at Benfica’s academy. João was even able to celebrate goals with his brother last season, as Hugo was a ball boy at the Estádio da Luz on some matchdays. One particular goal that he scored against Vitória Setúbal ended with an emotional embrace between the siblings.

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde talked up the importance of having Lionel Messi in his side after the forward netted the winner in the 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid.

The England international, 29, is currently playing for Atletico Madrid in Spain and has impressed under Diego Simeone, but he aims to return to Burnley to end his career in the near future.

Atletico Madrid are looking to ward off interest from Manchester United and Arsenal by giving Thomas Partey a new deal with a £93million release clause. 

Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier has come out in defence of his team's tactics in the valiant Champions League last-16 victory over holders Liverpool.

Manchester United are making the most of the unforeseen break in the football season by drawing up a plan to sign Thomas Lemar during the summer transfer window. 

Atletico Madrid are set to make a summer move for Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos in a bid to solve their problems in front of goal. Atletico have scored just 31 goals in 27 league games this term.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Jordi Cruyff's Monday morning column in Diario Sport was the perfect riposte to Michael Owen's tweet last week dismissing a Diego Simeone masterclass.

Barcelona hurried their signing of Gustavo Maia from Sao Paulo in order to beat competition from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. Barca have reportedly agreed to pay an initial fee of £1million.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: If Barcelona are the club most struggling with the financial consequences of the Coronavirus because of their huge over-spend, Atletico Madrid are not far behind them.

Atletico shared a black and white image of the youngster on their Twitter page with the caption: 'Atletico Madrid is mourning the passing of our U14 player Christian Minchola'.

Kieran Trippier confessed he carried on being available for Tottenham Hotspur despite not being in his best shape and form during his final season at the club.

Roma are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa as the Italian side look to add to their depleted striking options for next season.

Thomas Partey is poised to sign a new contract with Atletico Madrid, according to reports in Spain. Arsenal and Manchester United had been monitoring the midfielder with view to a summer transfer.

With Diego Simeone earning £8.9million more than any of his peers in management, it is little wonder Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs who could most struggle financially from the shut-down.

The Spanish giants needed to make cuts across the club to guarantee their financial stability, with most teams around the world struggling in the face of the global pandemic.

Liverpool council's director of public health has suggested the rise in coronavirus cases in the city may be influenced by the decision to allow the Reds' match against Atletico to take place.

Llorente has gone to extreme lengths to commemorate his memorable performance at the famous stadium, and shared his hilarious choice of name with his Instagram followers.

Barcelona are set to let midfielder Ivan Rakitic leave the club for a fee of £17million this summer with Atletico Madrid leading the race for his signature, according to Marca.

Bellerin, who joined the Gunners from in 2011, has three years left on his deal at the Emirates Stadium, meaning the trio of clubs are expected to stump up a big sum to land the Spaniard.

Aguirre, who coached Atletico between 2006 and 2009, was initially surprised at the hefty price tag for the unproven 17-year-old, but realised Aguero's ability within the first few days of his arrival.

The UK is set to formally complete their exit from the European Union at the start of 2021, which will see Trippier become a non-EU player.

The Ghanaian has become a key figure at the Wanda Metropolitano this season, featuring 35 times across all competitions to help Atletico reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Gunners spent a club record £52million to sign the Frenchman from Lyon in 2017 but he's fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates this season after scoring just nine goals in all competitions.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Proposals to take the current La Liga table as final and use them to decide European places for next season has sent shockwaves through the Spanish game.

The 20-year-old has already made over 50 appearances for Valencia since making his first team debut as a 17-year-old back in 2017 and has been linked with a move to a host of top clubs.

The £50million rated Ghanian international is thought to be Arteta's No1 target this summer with the club desperate for a defensive midfielder.

Players at the Madrid-based club feared for their futures when the coronavirus led to football's shutdown. But Partey has stepped in to put the squad's minds at rest.

The 20-year-old playmaker has endured a difficult start to life in Spain, having been recruited as the fourth-most expensive player in the world, but hopes that Atletico will help him progress his game.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly ready to double Thomas Partey's salary to £130,000 a week in order to fend off interest from Arsenal.

A scientific adviser is interested to see whether there is a link between the number of coronavirus deaths in Liverpool and Spain after the Reds faced Atletico Madrid at Anfield in March.

The match has since received a huge amount of scrutiny after a huge crowd of 54,000 - with 3,000 fans arriving from Madrid - were allowed to attend the match, against the advice of the WHO.

The Ghanaian midfielder has been heavily linked with a summer move to the Emirates and has a £43million release clause in his current deal - allowing the Gunners to snap him up on the cheap.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Atletico know it's unlikely but they have to cling to something. The horizon will look very dark for them otherwise - they would stand to lose around £88m from missed revenue

Edinson Cavani has been heavily linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain. Cavani who has spent seven years at the club is reportedly being pursued by Atletico Madrid.

Beckham is targeting a host of household names to bring to Inter Miami and has already sounded out Real Madrid duo Luka Modric and James Rodriguez over a potential move.

The Uruguayan's contract at PSG is up this summer and he is being heavily linked with a move away from Paris, with Atletico the most likely destination.

Mikel Arteta had identified Partey as a transfer target earlier in the season, with the Gunners boss hoping to convince the board to strike a deal for the 26-year-old when football returns to normality.

Diego Simeone and his players had medical checks at the club's training ground this week and the 22-year-old full-back has reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus.