April 24, 2008 10:57 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Atlético And Valencia Back In For Lucho

Atlético de Madrid are preparing to launch a bid to try and prise Lucho González away from Porto and will be joined by Valencia who are also interested in the midfielder.

Los Colchoneros tried and failed to land the 27-year-old last summer after his current club made his price too steep, but that will not put off them off going back at the end of the season.

Scouts for Atlético were present at Porto's recent game against Boavista with a member of the board also there to report back to sporting director Jesús García Pitarch, one of the key men in the deal.

García Pitarch is a huge fan of González, but he recognises that the Spanish club could only consider making an offer that maybe accepted if they qualify for the Champions League.

Even then it could be a push as Porto are expected to want more than €20m for the player that they signed from River Plate in 2005, even though he only cost them €10m to buy him outright.

Valencia will also become involved even though they have no coach at the moment as the sporting committee will sanction a move for González, just as they did last year.

Before this season, Los Ché saw an €18m bid rejected and that was enough to put off all would-be suitors, but the Portuguese outfit will have to brace themselves for a new round of offers.