Marca: Madrid to target Atletico's Gimenez this summer

Marca have reported that Real Madrid are keen in signing Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez this summer. 

Madrid are reprtedly prepared to pay the centre-back's 65 million euro release clause as they feel it's a decent price in the current market. 

Uruguay international Gimenez has been a Madrid target since he burst on to the scene with Atletico in 2015, but it's not been until now that they've thought about actually moving for him. 

There are two reasons why things have changed. The first is that Madrid feel they need a new centre-back. Jesus Vallejo has not passed the test and he may go on loan again, while Sergio Ramos is now 32 and they need cover for him and Raphael Varane. 

The second reason is Florentino Perez's attitude. The Madrid president had respected the verbal agreement with Atletico not to sign each others players. 

However, since the signing of Theo Hernandez last summer, also for his release clause, the rule seems to have gone up in flames.