Atletico Madrid are finalising a deal for Espanyol defender Mario Hermoso.

Marca says Hermoso will become an Atletico Madrid player after Espanyol accepted an offer for the centre-back which was far from his 40 million euro release clause.

Los Periquitos had been demanding the 40m euro figure, but with one year left on his contract, they cleared feared losing him for nothing next summer.

The deal will be announced imminently.

Atletico are expecting Hermoso to join their pre-season training base in Los Angeles de San Rafael on Thursday or Friday at the latest.