Caglar Soyuncu ‘signs pre-contract agreement to join Atletico Madrid this summer’ after falling out of favor with relegation-threatened Leicester
- The Turkish international came over from Freiburg five years ago for 20 million pounds
- He started his life brilliantly in England, but has seen his career falter in recent times
- The defender is reportedly close to signing a pre-contract agreement in Spain
Caglar Soyuncu is reportedly on the verge of signing a pre-contract agreement to join Atletico Madrid this summer after falling out of favor at Leicester.
The Turkey international joined the Foxes for £20 million in 2018 and initially came to life brilliantly in England, although his career has waned in recent seasons amid a series of mistakes and concerns over his fitness for the Premier League.
According to The athleticSoyuncu, 26, will join the Spanish club this summer after signing a pre-contract agreement.
Atletico Madrid are currently third in LaLiga, behind Real Madrid and league-leaders Barcelona, having come a long way since the World Cup.
Soyuncu will thus join a club that will play in the Champions League again next season as boss Diego Simeone looks to build another squad that will challenge the power of Spain’s traditional big two.
Calgar Soyuncu is reportedly about to sign a pre-contract agreement with Atletico Madrid
The Turkish international is expected to leave for Atletico Madrid at the end of the season
Diego Simeone’s team is third in LaLiga and will again qualify for the Champions League
Having fallen out of favor at Leicester, it’s a move that might surprise some associated with the club, especially considering he’s unable to make any minutes despite the nature of the club’s late-year defensive efforts by Brendan Rodgers.
However, Soyuncu has played the full 90 minutes in both of Dean Smith’s games in charge, including Saturday’s crucial come-from-behind victory against Wolves.
The 2-1 win lifted Leicester out of the relegation zone and stopped, if briefly perhaps, the rot at a club that was beginning to look doomed.
“It doesn’t mean anything, we have to keep climbing away from there and isolate ourselves as much as possible,” Smith said afterwards.
“We will enjoy this moment and how it feels to win a game after a while and get ready for Tuesday and Leeds.
Leicester’s survival this season is paramount with financial uncertainty abounding
“It’s a huge win, one we needed. It shows tremendous character to come from a goal and an error that led to a goal. Mentally it will boost all players.
“I think there’s relief because of the run we’ve made. I just spoke to them in the dressing room and said, ‘Enjoy it, but don’t get too high, because we have another important game on Tuesday,’ and recovery is now the most important thing for them.’
Soyuncu is one of eight players whose contract expires this summer as Leicester are embroiled in a financial crisis that could have even bigger consequences if they are relegated.
Youri Tielemans, Tete, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Jonny Evans, Ryan Bertrand and Ayoze Perez – currently on loan to Real Betis – are the other players who will leave this summer on a free transfer.