Atletico Madrid have stolen a march on Italian rivals in the race for Inter Milan attacker Alvaro Recoba.

Tgcom says Atletico representatives have already held talks with Recoba's agent, Paco Casal, and Inter chief Marco Branca about a move to Spain for the Uruguayan.

Napoli and Torino are also chasing Recoba, but only Atletico are willing to match the player's high Inter wages.