Director of Football Marcel Brands has so far been unsuccessful at luring reported target Thomas Meunier to Everton, and now faces a potential rival bid from Atletico Madrid, according to Le10 Sport.
The French outlet are suggesting Atleti boss Diego Simeone is targeting two players currently contracted to Paris Saint-Germain in Meunier and soon-to-be-free-agent Adrien Rabiot, who hits the market unattached on July 1.
It is thought the La Liga side’s intrigue in Meunier’s situation is serious, and that an offer could be made to the Parisian outfit once they have held discussions with the Belgian regarding his future, as he is entering the final year of his £51,244-a-week contract at Les Parc des Princes.
To help appease Financial Fair Play, PSG’s Qatari owners are said to have every reason to sell Meunier if they do not offer the 27-year-old an extension to his current deal. They are looking to make €100million (£87.9m) before the end of June, and have already banked €24m (£21.1m) of that through Real Betis triggering their option-to-buy for speculated Everton target Giovani Lo Celso.
Meunier, meanwhile, is expected to fetch between €25m (£22m) and €30m (26.4m), and Paris United also believe Manchester United and Arsenal are interested in signing the 6 ft 2 right-back.
We, on the other hand, have placed a contract on the table for the 36-cap Belgian international to sign should he wish, but have so far been unable to strike an agreement with either the player or his Ligue 1 winning club.
Meunier is also keen to see out the final year of his deal in the French capital, and told RTBF earlier in the week: “The club and management know I would like to finish my contract at PSG, or why not extend it?
“If this is done, so much the better, and if that is not done, we will see what is possible and we will go elsewhere. At the level of rumours, I am quoted [as going] everywhere. Only beautiful clubs come out. Manchester United, Juve, Dortmund, these are just exceptional clubs.”
On route to his second Ligue 1 title, the Sainte-Ode-born defender made 21 appearances for a total of 1,525 minutes of action, in which he scored three goals, and assisted a further four.