Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone insists Rodrigo de Paul is a required player.

The Argentina midfielder is being linked with a return to Serie A and Juventus.

But Simeone says: “Rodrigo is a really important player for us.

"I say this because he is continuing to grow and what he does further will be good mainly for himself and then also for the team, because he will strengthen it further."

De Paul has found a certain continuity this season with 19 total appearances, of which 15 are in the league and 4 in the Champions League.