Atletico Madrid claim they
turned down the opportunity to sign Arsenal misfit Jose Antonio
Reyes.
Reyes appears set to return to The Gunners this summer after
failing to impress while on a season-long loan at Real
Madrid.
The former Sevilla star has featured 25 times for Real but has
scored only three times and the player is now facing an uncertain
future, with a return to Arsenal unlikely to suit either
party.
Reyes's next port of call will not be Atletico, despite Real's city
rivals claiming they were offered the player.
The Spanish side's sporting director Miguel Gil Marin is quoted by
the Sun: "We've been offered Reyes but at this moment we don't want
him.
"The possibility of Reyes coming to Atletico doesn't exist."
Reyes has also been linked with a move to former club Sevilla and
Marin believes Atletico are being used as a pawn.
"We're tired of Atletico being used by agents to promote their
players. It doesn't make sense if they are in negotiations with
Seville to use Atletico to try and get more money."
The future of Julio Baptista is inextricably linked to that of
Reyes, after the pair exchanged clubs last summer.
Baptista has performed in only fits and starts while on loan at
Emirates Stadium, and Wenger would appear reluctant to meet Real's
£10million asking price should Reyes rejoin The Gunners.
"If I stay at Arsenal and Reyes stays at Real, then Real have to
pay Arsenal £3million and the problem is over," Baptista is quoted
in the Sun.
"If Reyes doesn't stay, it gets complicated. I've got three more
years on my contract with Real and they'll be the ones who
decide."