Forlan certain to leave after Atletico say they will take £11m
Published:Premier League clubs have been put on high alert after it emerged Besiktas chairman Yildirim Demiroren and Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo met last weekend to discuss the sale of Diego Forlan.
Forlan has been the subject of much transfer speculation since falling out with Atletico manager Quique Sanchez Flores earlier in the season, and Tottenham Hotspur especially will be hopeful of concluding a deal for the 31-year-old after it emerged Atletico are willing to let him go.
Atletico told Besiktas that it would take €12m (£10.8m) to prise Forlan away from Atletico but the Turkish side seem unwilling to pay more that €6m (£5.4m) for the Uruguayan striker.
Forlan currently commands a wage of €8m (£7.2) a year and Atletico are keen to get the striker off their books in a year which could yet prove unsuccessful for the current Europa League holders.
His attitude and his high wage bill mean Atletico could be willing to accept a lower asking price than the €12m they are after, although his reported €120k (£108k) a week wages could prove a stumbling block to many teams.
Just days after ruling out a move for Forlan because of his wage demands, Harry Redknapp looks likely to be tempted back in to a move for the Uruguayan.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are just two of the clubs that have been linked with a move for the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner and the striker who has scored 76 goals in 132 appearances for Atletico would enhance any squad.
Atletico are set for a clear out with David De Gea and Sergio Aguero likely to follow Forlan out of the door and the Premier League could well be the destination for all three highly rated players.
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