Source: SKY_Sports
Atletico confirm Merida interest
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Primera Liga outfit Atletico Madrid have confirmed they are interested in signing Arsenal's attacking midfielder Fran Merida.[LNB] The 19-year-old, who scored a cracker in The Gunners' midweek Carling Cup win over Liverpool, is out of contract next summer.[LNB]The former Barcelona youth player has made just three substitute Premier League appearances during his time at Arsenal, but his talent has not gone unregistered on Atletico's radar.[LNB]Merida is a free agent at the end of the season and the Vicente Calderon side say it is down to the player whether he wants to join them for next season.[LNB]Plans"He has entered into our plans for next season," confirmed the club's president president Enrique Cerezo.[LNB]"He is a player that interests us. The decision rests with the kid because he is free in June."[LNB]Although the teenager is in talks with Arsenal over a new deal, he is undecided whether to extend his Emirates stay or return to Spain.[LNB]"At the moment I am talking to the club so I don't know what is going to happen," said the teenager.[LNB]"Hopefully everything is going to be all right but we are going to sit down and talk about it.[LNB]"I am really happy in London."[LNB]
