Celtic and Rangers linked with €30m Atletico Madrid man as reports suggest rivals are monitoring player

Atletico Madrid youngster linked with Old Firm rivals as contract nears end

Rodrigo Riquelme has already made his La Liga bow for Atletico Madrid

Celtic and Rangers have both been linked with Atletico Madrid youngster Rodrigo Riquelme, according to reports in Spain.

The 19-year-old has made one La Liga appearance for Diego Simeone’s side this term, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute in a 3-2 win at home to Eibar in September, while he has been named on the subs' bench a further six times. He also featured in Atletico’s 2-1 loss to Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey in January.

Spanish publication Marca claims that Celtic and Rangers are both keeping tabs on Riquelme, who has a €30 million release clause in his contract. Atletico are understood to be keen on tying the player down on a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in the summer.

He impressed in a recent UEFA Youth League clash between the Spaniards and Rangers’ Under-19s, laying on three of the goals in a 4-0 win.

Riquelme can play anywhere across the front three and in 21 games for Atletico Madrid’s B team, has been deployed primarily as a right-winger and left-winger, although he did net twice from his only start as a centre-forward in a 4-0 win over UP Langreo.

According to Marca, talks are ongoing between the player and Atletico but even if he signs a new deal with the Wanda Metropolitano side, he could still be a potential loan target for clubs.