Atlético Madrid Join Asenjo Admirers

Atlético de Madrid are weighing up an approach for Real Valladolid's highly-rated young goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, are clearly aware that they will face stiff competition to land him..

The 19-year-old custodian was on los Colchoneros' list of potential purchases last summer, but the club did not want to splash out on a keeper and instead signed Gregory Coupet from Lyon.

Asenjo's performance in Valladolid's game against Atlético earlier in the campaign, when la Pucela held on to win thanks to his saves, has made the Madrid-based outfit determined to sign him.

The Palencia-born stopper has already been called up to the Spanish Under-21 side and is reported to want a bigger stage in order to make a bid for inclusion in the full team for the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Barcelona and Valencia have already made their interest known in la Primera, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with him in England.

That level of competition could see Atlético have to make a personal offer that Asenjo would find difficult to turn down as well as the chance of playing regularly in the first team.

Valladolid are bracing themselves for a host of offers in the summer and will hold out to ensure that they earn the best price for their youth team product.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com