Atletico Madrid are reportedly ready to rival Manchester City for Velez Sarsfield starlet Thiago Almada.
The English champions are understood to be monitoring the 18-year-old's progress, having been impressed by the teenager during his 19 first-team appearances for the Argentine club to date.
AS reports that Atletico are also keeping tabs on the midfielder, whose contract is due to expire in 2020.
Atletico sporting director Andrea Berta is understood to have scouted Almada in person earlier this year and the Spanish outfit have until September 2 to sign him should they opt to make an early move, whereas Man City's transfer window has already closed.
Velez have been trying to tie Almada down to a new contract in order to not only extend his stay with the club, but also to increase his minimum release clause from €14m (£12.8m) to €22.2m (£20.3m).
Almada has scored three goals and created two more in his 19 appearances for Velez so far.
Barney Corkhill
