La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are said to be preparing a swoop for Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, according to reports that have emerged this afternoon.
The Japan international has struggled to fit in at Old Trafford since he moved from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund two years ago.
Last season he managed just 14 appearances in 38 Premier League fixtures under former Red Devils coach David Moyes, and failed to score for the side in any of their domestic or European fixtures.
Atletico are in the process of making reinforcements to their attack-force having lost two key members this summer – Spaniard Diego Costa (who has signed for Chelsea) and Brazilian Diego (who has moved to Fenerbahce).
First team coach Diego Simeone has signed one attacking player so far – Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich – but is understood to have set the ball rolling in his pursuit of Kagawa.
The Argentine boss reportedly believes the 25-year-old would fit into the equation at the Vicente Calderon, adding options for creativity as he can play as a forward, a winger or a central midfielder.
With the Japanese misfit’s placing in the United side not guaranteed to take strong-hold under new manager Louis van Gaal, the £15m-rated player is highly anticipated to cut short the remaining two years on his contract and favour a move to Spain.