Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

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Atletico raise Reyes bid

30 Aug 2006 - 10:30:17

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Arsenal are reportedly considering an improved offer worth £13.5million from Atletico Madrid for unsettled forward Jose Antonio Reyes.

The 22-year-old is determined to return to his homeland after failing to settle in London, but neither Atletico nor Real Madrid have so far been willing to meet the Gunners' asking price.

Atletico's third bid matches Arsenal's valuation of the Spain international, but the staged payments in the proposal may not meet with approval at the Emirates Stadium.

Reyes remains optimistic that a deal can be agreed before the transfer window shuts and that he has played his last Premiership match.

"I want to leave Arsenal but not just to play anywhere; I do not want to lose my prestige," the ex-Sevilla star told The Guardian.

"I am excited about the prospect of going to Atletico. They are building an exciting team."

The Estadio Vicente Calderon club have already spent almost 50 million euros on new players this summer, with Sergio Aguero, Mariano Pernia, Costinha, Yourkas Seitaridis, Mista, Jurado and Maniche all heading to the Spanish capital.