Asenjo set for Atlético switch

Spain Under-21 goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo is set to finalise his much-publicised move to Club Atlético de Madrid from Real Valladolid CF, filling the void left by the departure of experienced duo Leo Franco and Grégory Coupet.

Precocious talent
Subject to a medical Asenjo will sign a four-year contract after the clubs agreed a fee thought to be in the region of €5m, with Brazilian striker Diego Costa providing a makeweight as he heads in the opposite direction on a 12-month loan. The 20-year-old will harbour much expectation at the Vicente Calderón, especially in light of the departure of Franco and Coupet to Galatasaray AŞ and Paris Saint-Germain FC, respectively. Asenjo is a precocious talent, however. He made his Valladolid debut at 18, was a member of Spain's 2007 UEFA European U19 Championship-winning side and was one of few pluses in the country's disappointing UEFA European U21 Championship performance this summer.