Atletico nearing €25m transfer of Athletico Paranaense defender Renan Lodi

Atletico Madrid are nearing the €25m transfer of Athletico Paranaense defender Renan Lodi, according to a report in Diario AS.

The club have already seen offers of €18m and €21m turned down for the full-back, but transfer chief Andrea Bertra has now travelled to Brazil to conclude a deal.

The 21-year-old has made 70 first-team appearances for the Brazilian club and helped his side to the Sudamericana title last year.

The report claims Atleti have identified the left-back to bolster their defence with a series of first-team defenders set to exit the club this summer.

“He is very sad and feels very sorry because, as it seems that there is a sale that can happen at any moment, his desire to play is gigantic,” explained Paranaense boss Tiago Nunes.

“His right to play is being cancelled and perhaps a farewell too.”

Lucas Hernandez’s €80m switch to Bayern Munich has already been confirmed while a host of others are out of contract including Juanfran Torres, Diego Godin and Filipe Luis.

In August 2018, Lodi extended his contract at Paranaense until the summer of 2022 and it is claimed his asking price by the club is a minimum of €20m.

Real Madrid, Juventus, Shakhtar Donestk and Lille have all been directly linked to the defender, who is said to be on the radar of the Brazilian national team - for whom he has not yet been capped.

Lodi’s release clause is said to stand at €40m but the club will accept offers in the region of €25m.