ATLETICO MADRID have completed a stunning £18million swoop for Geoffrey Kondogbia from rivals Valencia – despite the transfer window closing nearly a month ago.
The French midfielder, 27, has signed a four-year contract with Atletico after they took advantage of a bizarre LaLiga loophole.
Atletico Madrid have signed Geoffrey Kondogbia from Valencia for £18mCredit: Atletico Madrid
It gives teams who lost a player to a release clause a whole month to sign a replacement.
However, that only applies to footballers already plying their trade in Spain, and those available as free agents.
Atletico saw Thomas Partey snapped up by Arsenal on deadline day after they met his £45million release clause.
And despite landing Lucas Torreira on loan from the Gunners, Diego Simeone has now moved to land one of the league’s most tenacious midfielders.
Kondogbia played for Sevilla, Monaco and Inter Milan before joining Valencia in 2017.
He made 104 appearances for the club but cast doubt over his future after a furious outburst over their summer transfer business.
Valencia president Anil Murthy failed to make one single signing other than turning Jason’s loan from Getafe into a permanent deal for £4m.
However, he allowed both Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo to join Villarreal, while selling Ferran Torres to Manchester City and Rodrigo to Leeds.
Kondogbia has arrived as a replacement for Thomas Partey after his deadline day move to ArsenalCredit: Atletico Madrid
Loanees Alessandro Florenzi and Jaume Costa were also shown the door, while stalwart defender Ezequiel Garay left on a free transfer after his contract expired.
Valencia’s business led to Kondogbia accusing Murthy of ‘destroying’ any chance of success for Mestalla boss Javi Gracia, who previously lasted 18 months at Watford.
Kondogbia wrote on Instagram stories: “Having already destroyed an ambitious project, you had to deceive your coach, and, finally, me. Thank you, Anil Murthy.”
But Kondogbia no longer has to worry about Valencia’s shortcomings, and will now look to establish himself in the heart of Atletico’s midfield despite facing strong competition from Koke, Saul Niguez, Hector Herrera and Marcos Llorente, as well as loanee Torreira.
Arsenal sign Thomas Partey transfer move after meeting £45m Atletico Madrid release clause
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
