Santiago Arias is not yet in the picture at PSV, Rik Elfrink assures on Sunday in response to the messages that are doing the rounds. Media from his native Colombia assure that the right defender will most likely leave Atletico Madrid this month and that PSV, Everton and Bayer Leverkusen, among others, have requested exploratory information. However, there would be no concrete proposal yet, or so it sounds.
Elfrink can only endorse the latter. “Many questions about Arias and PSV. I am not aware of any transfer at this time. Salary technically certainly not an easy one, I think,” emphasizes the PSV watcher of the Eindhovens Dagblad. “Hear that he can leave Atlético and that he is fit again.” Arias is missing from Diego Simeone’s selection for the away game against Celta de Vigo on Sunday because he has not yet been registered by the reigning champions, pending a possible transfer. He did come into action a week ago in the practice match between Feyenoord and los Colchoneros (2-1) at De Kuip.
Each club in Spain is allowed to register a maximum of three players from outside the EU. At the moment that has happened with the Brazilians Felipe and Renan Lodi. In addition to Arias, Simeone also has his compatriot Nehuén Pérez at his disposal. Both are not registered because it is not yet clear which of the two will leave, on a rental basis or via a definitive transfer. Atlético has until August 31, the final day of the summer transfer market.
“I already foresee some crowdfunding initiatives, but I don’t have the impression that anything is very close or anything,” concludes Elfrink. Arias, 29, made the move from Atlético to Bayer on a rental basis a year ago, which is now said to be interested again. He ended up playing only 90 minutes for the team of then coach Peter Bosz because he sustained a serious ankle injury in the World Cup qualifier between Colombia and Venezuela and was immediately out for the rest of the football season.
PSV picked up Arias in 2013 from Sporting Portugal. After a hesitant start, the Colombian became a popular player and was indispensable on the right wing. After three league titles, in 2015, 2016 and 2018, he made the switch to Atletico for 11.5 million euros, where he played 51 games in all competitions in two seasons. His contract in Wanda Metropolitano runs for two more years.