Atletico & Valencia battle for Getafe defender Djene Dakonam

Atletico Madrid and Valencia both want to sign Getafe defender Djene Dakonam this summer, according to Diario AS.

The report claims both clubs have already opened talks for the in-demand defender, who has excelled in the Spanish top flight across the past two seasons.

The Togolese international – primarily a central defender but who is also used at right-back – has excelled for Los Azulones since joining the Madrid-based club in 2017 from Belgian club Sint-Truden.

The 27-year-old is said to be in high demand, with Barcelona and Sevilla also previously being reported among the leading clubs in Spain interested in his signature.

Back in December, Marca quoted Getafe president Angel Torres as saying: “If I decide to sell Djene then [Getafe Coach, Pepe] Bordalas is gone!”

The defender is said to hold a €35m release clause in his current deal and the club do not appear likely to budge on such a clause.

Djene previously spent two seasons in the Segunda with Alcorcon between 2014 and 2016.