16:20h CEST Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins has agreed a deal to join Atlético Madrid, pending official confirmation. The 23-year-old winger, who was part of Fernando Santos' World Cup squad, is one of a number of stars set to leave the José Alvalade this summer after the institutional implosion that rocked the Portuguese giants towards the end last season. Atlético have been in talks with Martins for some time and have now reached agreement with the player, who asked that his contract with Sporting be terminated after a group of masked ultras attacked players and staff last May. Martins concludes Simeone's attacking purchases Full screen FRANCISCO LEONG (AFP) With the arrival of Martins, Diego Simeone has now landed all of his major targets. Thomas Lemar, Nehuén Pérez and Rodri have all been signed during the summer and the Portugal international, who will replace Yannick Carrasco after the Belgian's move to the Chinese Super League, completes Simeone's squad for the 2018-19 season. The Atlético manager had been without a natural right-sided attacker after Carrasco's departure and used both Koke and Saúl in that position in the second half of last season. It now falls to Simeone to thin out his attacking options. Kevin Gameiro is on the verge of a move to Valencia and Luciano Vietto, who was on loan at Mestalla, is also looking for a new clubafter Los Che decided not to exercide their purchase option on the 24-year-old striker.<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Who do Liverpool need to sign to re-claim the title? Keep up with all the Reds news with our free daily newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Liverpool's hopes of signing Gelson Martins have taken a massive hit - after the winger reportedly agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid. Former Sporting Lisbon star Martins had been on the Reds' radar as they looked to add depth to their strong front line - which boasts Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. The Portuguese international had been touted as an alternative to Salah last summer, when the Egyptian switched from Roma to Anfield, before they planned a transfer this year. Tottenham and Chelsea had also been linked with Martins, while Arsenal were rumoured to have had a £26million bid rejected. (Image: AFP) But AS reports Martins has decided to choose Madrid has his next destination, after leaving Sporting earlier this summer, with the move currently being held up due to international clearance. The 23-year-old was one of several players who left Sporting due to safety concerns. (Image: Simon Hofmann) (Image: REUTERS) On the eve of their Portuguese Cup Final, a group of ultras invaded the club's training ground and attacked players and staff following their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Martins, who netted 31 times in 165 appearances for Sporting and Sporting B, playing in all four of Portugal's World Cup matches before they were knocked out by Uruguay.<doc-sep>Gelson Martins has agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid and will not be signing for Liverpool, reports the Mirror. The Sporting Lisbon ace terminated his contract with his boyhood club before the World Cup and is therefore available on a free transfer – but it looks like we’ve missed out on a potential bargain. Ultras invaded Sporting’s training ground and attacked players, which meant Martins and others were legally allowed to terminate their deals on safety grounds. SEE MORE: Madness as LFC targets terminate contracts and are available for free Rui Patricio, their former keeper, has joined Wolves already, having done the same. Martins has long been linked to Liverpool because of his pace, trickery and ability on the counter, but it now seems the 23-year-old will work under Diego Simeone and not Jurgen Klopp. It’s a shame, as we need a talented, quick inside forward for the bench, to back up Mo Salah and Sadio Mane. Martins would have fitted the bill perfectly, especially considering he wouldn’t have cost a transfer fee, freeing up funds for a blockbuster move elsewhere. Atletico bought Thomas Lemar earlier this window, with the Frenchman a very well-publicised former Liverpool target himself. The Spaniards also kept hold of Antoine Griezmann and are finally proving that they’re more than just an overachieving selling club.<doc-sep>Spanish supremos Atletico Madrid have confirmed reaching a six-year deal with Argentinian youngster Nehuen Perez, who comes in from Argentino Juniors. The 18-year-old landed in Spain on Tuesday morning ahead of the signing of a long-term deal with the Europa League winners and didn't have a whole lot to say, simply stating that he was very happy. Atletico are said to have paid €2.7m for the young defender, also agreeing a sell-on fee with the South American side. " Our club has reached an agreement with the Argentinos Juniors for the transfer of Nehuen Perez," Los Rojiblancos announced via their official website . WHO DO YOU TAG IN? Rookie You need a lot of work. Tag again! Amateur Not bad! But your tagging could be better Pro Your tagging skills are strong, but there's still room for improvement. Tag-Master You tag the right person every time! Congratulations you are a tag master Your team wins a free-kick just outside the box. Who do you tag in to take it? Your team concede a pen in the last minute with the scores level. Who do you tag in? Every team needs a world class player. Who do you tag in? It's London fashion week and you have to look good! Who do you tag in? You've just scored on the biggest stage, The World Cup! Who do you tag in for the celebration? "The defender signs a contract for six seasons that will bind him to our club until June 30, 2024. "In the Spanish capital, he passed a medical examination to later sign his new contract that links him to our club for the next six seasons." Perez had travelled to Russia with Jorge Sampaoli and his Argentina squad, functioning as a sparring player for La Albiceleste. He will hope to be given the opportunity to show his worth in ​La Liga next season by playing regular minutes for Diego Simeone's side.<doc-sep>
Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images Atletico Madrid appear to have dashed any chances of Arsenal or Liverpool signing Portugal winger Gelson Martins this summer after reportedly agreeing a deal to acquire the out-of-contract star. Manolete of AS reported Atletico won the race for Martins after he was one of the high-profile stars to ask that his Sporting CP contract be terminated after a group of the club's fans attacked players at a training facility in May. Calciomercato.com said the Gunners and the Merseysiders were both interested in free-agent Martins, 23, while Italian club Lazio were believed to have tabled a contract worth €2.5 million (£2.2 million) per year. Following Portugal No. 1 Rui Patricio's free transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this summer, journalist Mark Rodden highlighted Martins as the next most valuable of Sporting's newly available stars: Arsenal have seen Alexis Sanchez, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Theo Walcott all leave the Emirates Stadium over the past year, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan the only presence arriving to help replenish the ranks out wide. Video Play Button Videos you might like Meanwhile, Liverpool found themselves short on wide cover last term, and Martins could have been the ideal right-sided option to help offer Mohamed Salah competition on the flanks. According to Manolete, the arrival of Martins will complete Atletico's offensive recruitments this summer. The wide man completed 2.6 dribbles per game in the Primeira Liga last term, per WhoScored.com, with only three players averaging more. Writer Ben Hayward referred to the club's earlier capture of Thomas Lemar from AS Monaco, as well as the contract extensions of Antoine Griezmann and Lucas Hernandez, as cause for a successful transfer window: One might have backed the more lucrative offers in the Premier League to win the race for an available star like Martins. Football Radars illustrated the dribbling potency Martins brought to the table in the Primeira Liga last season, as well as the direct influence he had in getting the ball into dangerous areas: Los Rojiblancos will offer Martins a new challenge in La Liga, while Arsenal and Liverpool could be forced to re-assess their options after missing out on what may have been a terrific bargain.