Could the two Simeones be reunited at Atletico? Diego has so far refused to comment on the prospect of swooping for his eldest son
Diego Simeone dodged questions over his rumoured transfer interest in son Giovanni as he put faith in Atletico Madrid’s existing strikers.
Atleti slipped to a 3-2 friendly loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, with Luciano Vietto and Kevin Gameiro both guilty of squandering chances.
French forward Gameiro last season produced his worst league scoring return in a decade with just seven goals, while Vietto netted only twice in a combined 20 La Liga appearances for Atleti and Valencia.
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Their struggles come amid rumours Simeone is attempting to sign his 23-year-old son Giovanni, who netted 14 times for Fiorentina in his second Serie A campaign in 2017-18.
The striker got his start in football thanks to father Diego, who was River Plate coach in 2008 when he entered the Buenos Aires giants’ academy – but Simeone Sr. will not talk about a possible reunion.
When asked about Atleti’s reported interest in Giovanni, Simeone responded: “No comment.”
The head coach instead called for patience with his present crop.
“It is good to compete in games like that and the youngsters were very good again,” Simeone said of Atleti’s performance against PSG.
“We had a good first half without too much possession but with more direct play, but we still created some good scoring chances.
“I think we performed well, old and young. You find strength in creating chances and the team did that.
“We need patience and to keep working hard.”
Atleti’s stocks will be boosted by the availability of new signing Thomas Lemar for the friendly against Stuttgart on August 5.
The match will also mark the return of Lemar’s fellow World Cup participants Diego Costa, Koke and Saul Niguez.