April 22, 2008 11:01 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Meireles Wanted By Atlético

Atlético de Madrid are weighing up a move for Porto's highly-rated midfielder Raúl Meireles to bolster their squad because Cléber Santana is set to leave in the summer.

Los Colchoneros are not planning another major summer rebuilding programme, but are identifying key targets that they believe wil enhance their squad with one eye on the Champions League.

Meireles is on the agenda after Atleti scouts sent back very favourable reports of the 25-year-old, who is a regular in the Portugal national side.

His experience in the Champions League will also be seen as an asset with Atlético set to return to play in Europe's elite club competition next season.

The coaching staff at Vicente Calderón are prepared to wait and see how Thiago Motta's fitness develops as his first season at the club has been blighted by injuries since his move from Barcelona last summer.

Then there is yougn Ignacio Camacho who has seamlessly stepped up to the highest level and could well make a place in the side his own in the next couple of seasons.

Any approach for Meireles would send out a clear signal to Cléber that he is now surplus to requirements having never truly settled at the club since joining from Santos last year.

Raúl García is a mainstay in the team and it is a partner for him that is being sought to go with the club's other reinforcements that they have already signed up.

Johnny Heitinga has agreed a deal that will see him move to Atlético from Ajax at the end of the season while Tomas Ujfalusi is set to move to the club from Fiorentina.