Atletico Madrid have already made an offer for Real Valladolid centre-back Mohammed Salisu as they look to get ahead of the competition for his signature.

The 21-year-old has burst onto the scene in his first season in LaLiga Santander and that has led to interest from a plethora of clubs, both inside Spain and beyond Spanish shores.

From Atletico’s point of view, they do not want to let an opportunity pass them by to sign a very promising defender for a relatively low fee of 12 million euros, his release clause, which could be reduced if Salisu is allowed to stay at Valladolid on loan for another year.

Should Salisu remain part of Sergio Gonzalez’s side, it would allow him to continue maturing and developing before heading to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in the summer of 2021.

As Valladolid general manager Miguel Angel Gomez stated on Radio MARCA on Wednesday, an offer has already been lodged for Salisu.

Now, MARCA can reveal that the bid came from Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.

Salisu is seen as Los Rojiblancos’ solution at the back for years to come, and they have looked to act quickly in order to beat off competition from Premier League clubs and three teams in Serie A.

For the time being, it is advantage Atletico in the race to sign Salisu.