Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone insists he wants to keep Rodrigo de Paul.

The Argentina midfielder has been linked with a return to Serie A.

But Simeone said today: "He is a very important player for us and all the growth that he proposes and can develop within the team will surely be very good first personally for him and his growth as a footballer and to generate greater strengths within the team."

On facing Sevilla tomorrow, he added: "Since the season begins you have the same responsibility, each game has its importance, tomorrow's too.

"We are facing a team that had a great game in Granada, very strong, solid, with speed at the top, experienced people within the team, with a coach who knows the League and Atlético de Madrid very well and we hope to be able to take the game to where we think we can hurt them."