Atletico Madrid have confirmed they are close to signing Villarreal striker starlet Luciano Vietto on a six-year contract.
Coach Diego Simeone has been scouring the market to find a suitable forward to replace the outgoing Mario Mandzukic, who quit the Vicente Calderon for a move to Italian champions Juventus, and he has pounced for 21-year-old Vietto.
The youngster, who played under Simeone at Racing Club in Argentina in the past, hit 18 goals for the Yellow Submarine last term and it now looks like he will be leading the line for Atleti next term.
"Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal have reached an agreement for the transfer of Luciano Vietto to our entity," a statement on Atletico's official website said.
"It is expected that the transfer of the Argentinian forward will be formalised this Wednesday, that the striker trains with his new team-mates in the first session of the pre-season, and to subsequently sign his new contract, which will link him to our club for the next six seasons."