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WORLD FOOTBALL

    Enrique Cerezo on Failed Edinson Cavani, Atletico Madrid Move: 'It's Outrageous'

    Christopher Simpson@@CJSimpsonBRX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistFebruary 1, 2020

    PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 12: Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint Germain during the French League 1 match between Paris Saint Germain v AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on January 12, 2020 in Paris France (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
    Soccrates Images/Getty Images

    Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has given insight into the club's failed move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani in January.

    According to Pablo Planas of Mundo Deportivo (h/t Goal), the deal fell through after Walter Fernando, Cavani's brother and representative, demanded an €18 million (£15 million) agent's fee from the Spanish club.

    Cerezo spoke to Movistar Futbol (h/t Goal) on Saturday after Los Rojiblancos' 1-0 loss to Real Madrid:

    "Someday I will tell why Cavani did not come and they will prove me right. 

    "I don't want to point anyone out, but I think it's a shame about the situation of some players with their relatives and their representatives. It's outrageous. We're not here to be robbed or do anything strange."

    PSG are said to have turned down a €10 million (£8 million) bid for the Uruguayan, who will be out of contract in the summer, but Atleti did not return with a follow-up as expected after the reported demand by Fernando.

    Atletico have scored just 22 goals in as many La Liga matches this season, so they could have done with more firepower this winter.

    Joao Felix, 20, has scored just four times in all competitions since he replaced Antoine Griezmann last summer in a €126 million (£113 million) move, while Diego Costa has scored just 14 goals since his return to the club in January 2018, having been plagued by injury and suspension.

    Enrique Cerezo on Failed Edinson Cavani, Atletico Madrid Move: 'It's Outrageous'
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    To make matters worse, Alvaro Morata, who has scored 10 goals this season, limped out of Saturday's Madrid derby, per AS' Robbie Dunne:

    Robbie Dunne @robbiejdunne

    A horrible end to the transfer window where Atlético tried and tried and tried for Cavani. Morata gets injured and Correa is playing as the number nine.

    Manager Diego Simeone's comments afterward suggested the Spaniard may not be a long-term absentee, though:

    Tom Allnutt @TomAllnuttAFP

    If Morata injured, doesn't seem like it will be serious. Although Simeone caution an indication of his prioritites... Simeone: "Alvaro came off because he took a big hit to his leg. He didn't know if it was injury or just a blow but he was having difficulty so I took him off."

    Nevertheless, a prolific, hardworking forward like Cavani would have been an outstanding short-term asset and a fine fit at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium under Simeone.

    Football author Colin Millar was disappointed Cavani didn't move in January:

    Colin Millar @Millar_Colin

    Feels like a real shame that Edinson Cavani - 290 goals in last nine seasons, and 114 in his last three (averaging 38 per campaign) - is now 32 and being kept by PSG as a fourth-choice striker. Would instantly improve almost any team. https://t.co/L6dzDPxYiG

    Between injury issues and Mauro Icardi's arrival on loan from Inter Milan, Cavani has made just 15 appearances for PSG this season, only six of which are starts.

    He'll be 33 on February 14, though. The reported agent's fee⁠—which would likely have exceeded his transfer fee⁠—would have turned his transfer from a shrewd, low-risk move into a costly exercise for an ageing star who is likely nearing the end of his time at the top level.