Croatian international defender Sime Vrsaljkohas ruled out any chance of leaving the Vicente Calderon Stadium despite only playing one full game of football for Atletico Madrid this season.
The highly-rated star had been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City in the summer, but chose the Spanish club instead in July. He has no desire to jump ship this quickly.
Sime Vrsaljko: "I am not considering leaving Atletico. I would love to play more but things are the way they are, it's up to me to work." pic.twitter.com/3yZg0mWF53
"I'm not thinking of leaving Atletico," the 24-year-oldsaid toEl Mundo Deportivo."I do not want to talk too much about my situation, of course I want to play more, but things are the way they are."
"It depends on me working hard and showing the coach what I'm worth."
Vrsaljko is best employed at right-back, but is a clear second choice in that area to veteran star Juanfran. The Croatian came to Atletico for £14.5m and signed a five-year deal, and likely knew that he would have to fight hard to win a starting place when he made the decision to join.
Arsenal currently possess one of the most highly-rated right-backs in the Premier League in young and speedy FrenchmanHector Bellerin. However, Manchester City themselves have very high praise for the player, and a move to the Etihad would leave Arsene Wenger short on options.
Manchester City are set to challenge Chelsea for English international centre-back Michael Keane (TMW) #CFC #MCFC #Burnley
Manchester City's search for right-backs must make current choices Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta nervous, and confirms manager Pep Guardiola's hesitancy over their defence. Aleksandar Kolarov has struggled at the back recently, and Vincent Kompany seems eternally hampered by injuries. They have let in five goals in their last two games.