Atletico Madrid to bid for Marseille's Valbuena

Atletico Madrid are closing in on Olympique Marseille attacking midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

Valbuena's agent has already confirmed the interest of Liverpool in the want-away midfielder, but Atletico are ready to be the first club to make a serious offer to Marseille.

The Madrid giants intend to bid £7 million for Valbuena, who could arrive as a direct replacement for Luis Garcia following his move to Racing Santander.