Ricardo Quaresma is expected to complete a move to Atletico Madrid in the coming hours.



zoom - galleria The former Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona man - who moved to Porto three years ago as a part of the deal that brought Deco to Spain, is set for a return to La Liga.

Atletico Madrid will pay Porto 20 million euros for the Portuguese winger, and a few more based on performances and results.


Quaresma is expected to pen a four-year contract with Atletico, demonstrating his enthusiasm to return to the Spanish game.

Indeed, such is the allure of La Liga that Porto have long since given up on keeping the winger. The transfer negotiations have been protracted and difficult, but the Portuguese side have decided to cash in without a further fight.

The move will see Los Colchoneros have a rather long line-up of wingers, with Maxi Rodriguez and Petrov both fit again, and Luis Garcia also on the way in.

This signing comes on the back of Atletico Madrid signing Diego Forlan for 21 million euros, and almost certainly rules Riquelme out as a possibility.

Atletico Madrid have been second only to Barcelona in terms of their summer spending in Spain, with Real Madrid yet to make their moves. They have already netted Raul Garcia, Abbiati, Cleber Santana and Diego Costa.

They are also close to netting Spanish international defender Angel from relegated Celta Vigo, which will officially complete their business for the summer.

As for Quaresma, this is his big chance to prove himself in La Liga, and make a point to Frank Rijkaard, who was unimpressed with the winger over his unwillingness to adapt.

Quaresma had refused to play on the left back then, and was thus left on the bench with Luis Garcia and skipper Luis Enrique being preferred on the right.

He had also hit out at Rijkaard for failing to give him enough chances, and has vowed never to play under him again. He wants a return to Barcelona, but "not while Rijkaard is the coach."

For now, it will be Atletico Madrid - who have been chasing for almost 12 months, it has to be said - whom he will ply his trade for.

So would it be Quaresma and Maxi Lopez on the wings for Athletico? They will be a very good team to watch this season coming.

It's time for Quaresma to really establish himself now. He is costing £14m, the same price as Nani, yet Quaresma is on a completely different level to Nani.

Am surprised no bigger teams have come in for him actually, especially at that price...I thought Porto would have asked for over £25m Euros, esp. with Nani going for the price he did

Could be a dark horse next season. Looks like selling torres for 26m will actually improve the team a great deal

Quality signing for Atlético.

Don't forget Luis Garcia also...

Forlan as well, obviously they still have Aguero too who could develop further. Be a bit ironic if they finally made the step up after selling Torres

I take it you mean Maxi Rodriguez btw True Faith, he's a bit better than Maxi Lopez They still have Martin Petrov as well, always like watching him play. Didn't they both have long term injuries last season though

What a team there going to have.

I wish Quaresma came to Arsenal, he's amazing

Weren't they heavily linked with Riquelme also at one stage this summer?

Wow Porto are going to have a shitload of cash, but who would go there though. At Madrid are looking like a impressive line up. Lucky for Maxi Rodriguez he can play in the centre as well as on the right. So At Madrid already spending the Nando money ay?

yep Atletico may soon not be called pathetico any more with those good signings added to their few good players

Yeah i think they were linked with an agreement with Villarreal, but i don't think Riquelme ever agreed to join them. I dunno the status of a deal, but i'm not sure it would be a good move for them, it's a risk bringing back to Europe, and i think he works best when the team is built around him, which might not be best for a side with so much attacking talent as it is

Ah yeah I thought I may have made a bit of a fcuk up there.

Martin Petrov is a very good player too but at least he can play in the centre and as Miguel says Garcia is coming too (can he play in the centre as well??), still very exciting but what are Athletico going to do with all these top midfielders!?

Garcia can play in the centre, he's usually more effective when playing in just behind a forward rather than out wide. Perhaps he'll play just behind Forlan with Quaresma and Rodriguez on the wings

good for him

Don't think its that close anymore.

^ I think we're going to blow the opportunity.

so where is he going? I've heard Atheltico and Liverpool