Atletico Madrid President: Pay the clause and go

Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo has advised any players who aren’t happy at the club to pay their release clause and leave.

Cerezo was speaking on Romanian television. The President said when asked about speculation linking a number of his players with an exit that if they’re that keen to go, they know what they need to do.

“The player who doesn’t want to stay, pay the clause and that’s it,” he said.

“Our policy is clear. We don’t want an unhappy player at Atletico. It hurts us for them to leave but if they pay the buyout clause, there’s no problem.”

Cerezo reflected on past summers when Atletico have sold a big-name player, usually a striker, and said only once has a move left a bad taste in the club’s mouth.

“All players have left the club smoothly. Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao…all but Sergio Aguero, who had a silly problem,” Cerezo said.

“He could have gone as a hero but left as a villain, which was stupid.”