Despite the fact that Espanyol head coach David Gallego announced that Mario Hermoso will play for Espanyol against CF Peralada in a friendly on Tuesday, Atletico Madrid are continuing to pursue the central defender.
Diego Simeone's team remain optimistic, even though his target is now back in action for his current club, where he has a 40 million euro release clause.
A loan move for Danny Blind for one season seems the most realistic move, though it remains a Plan B for those in the offices of the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano who remain focused on Hermoso.