Atletico Madrid target Rennes attacking midfielder Lovro Majer

Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Croatian playmaker Lovro Majer from Stade Rennais, according to L’Equipe.

The creative attacking midfielder is drawing the interest of Diego Simeone. Talks now underway between the two clubs to find an agreement.

Majer is happy to stay at Rennes for another season. However, he is also open to a transfer to one of Europe’s bigger clubs. He would like to play in the Champions League.

A deal for the 24-year-old midfielder will cost Atletico around €50 million. He still has four years left on his current contract.

Majer signed for Rennes from Dinamo Zagreb for €12 million in 2021, and after taking time to adapt, he has become a crucial part of Bruno Genesio’s exciting side.

He scored six goals and assisted another eight in 29 Ligue 1 appearances for the Brittany club last season. He also provided one assist in the Europa Conference League.

Majer was named in the Ligue 1 team of the season by L’Equipe.

The left-footed playmaker draws comparisons to fellow Croatian Luka Modric for many reasons. They are both playmakers, constantly prying and opening defences for their teammates.

Both men have the same initials (LM), graduated from the same academy (Dinamo Zagreb), and wear the number 10 shirt. Majer has mentioned that he looks up to Modric.

There have been reports that Real Madrid are looking at Majer as a future replacement for his Ballon d’Or-winning compatriot, who turns 37 next month. Paris Saint-Germain have also registered their interest in Majer.

Atletico are looking for a playmaker with Rodrigo De Paul struggling in the Spanish capital following his move from Udinese. Thomas Lemar has also not lived up to expectations since joining from AS Monaco.

Simeone is looking for someone to help unlock defences and has turned to Majer.

With Liverpool interested in signing Marcos Llorente in the final days of the transfer window, Simeone is pushing for an attacker with a different profile.

A deal may be tough to pull off this late in the window, but it looks like Los Colchoneros are ready to go all in to land their man.