Manchester City have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid pair Deyna Castellanos and Laia Aleixandri on free transfers in the summer.

Venezuelan forward Castellanos has been with Atletico since 2020, and is a blockbuster name in South American women’s football.

Spanish defender Aleixandri joined Atletico in 2017, and is one of the most highly regarded youngsters in Europe.

According to The Telegraph, City are in ‚advanced talks‘ with the two players about joining the club following the expiration of their Atletico contract’s at the end of the 2021/22 season.

A move for the two players would represent continued long-term planning for City, with Castellanos aged 22 and Aleixandri 21.

This would be in keeping with their recent transfer policy, following the January arrival of 20-year-old Norwegian international Julie Blakstad, and the summer addition of teenager Ruby Mace. Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp have also both recently committed their futures to City by signing new, long-term contracts.

Castellanos has scored 22 times in 53 appearances for Atletico following her move to Spain in January 2020. She made her senior debut for Venezuela at the age of 18, and has netted 10 goals in 23 outings for her country.

The forward was in the headlines in 2017 when she was nominated for the Best FIFA Women’s Player despite not having played professionally or represented her country at senior level at the time. The nomination was criticised by Megan Rapinoe.

Alexandri is a product of the Barcelona academy, before moving to Atletico in 2017. She has made eight appearances for Spain since making her senior debut in 2019, and was part of Spain’s recent Arnold Clark Cup squad.

City are currently fourth in the WSL, but will move level on points with rivals Manchester United in the final Champions League spot should they win their game in hand. United also have the daunting trip to WSL champions Chelsea on the final day of the season to contend with.

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