Diego Simeone turns down transfer rumors on Alvaro Morata: “We need him.” | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone responded to transfer rumors regarding Alvaro Morata.

The Spanish striker had been linked with Roma over the last few weeks and considered Jose Mourinho’s first choice to replace injured Tammy Abraham.

In a recent interview with Marca, however, Simeone once again highlighted Morata’s importance at Atletico.

“I never reveal what I talked about with my players. I speak to them clearly and sincerely,” Simeone told the newspaper.

“I made Morata understand that he is an important player for us and that we need him, as he is the only striker we have at disposal.”

“We spoke to him before the match against Villarreal. We talked for a long, long time. We told him everything we thought. That has to beat his scoring records. He has had many scoring situations, many of which he failed or were called off. For his age and the way he gets along with his peers, it’s time to reach 18 goals in a season.”