Atletico Madrid want Blind or Otamendi if they fail in move for Hermoso LaLiga Espanyol want 40 million euros for defender

As Espanyol continue to stick with their 40 million euro asking price for Mario Hermoso, Atletico Madrid have started to explore other options.

Los Rojiblancos are unwilling to pay the defender's full release clause due to the fact that he's got just a year left on his contract.

They've picked out Ajax's Daley Blind and Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi as possible back-up signings if they don't get Hermoso this summer.

Blind would offer something similar to Hermoso because he would be able to play at either centre-back or left-back.

Diego Simeone would probably prefer to bring in Otamendi due to his aerial presence, but his high wages at City could prove to be an obstacle.

If Espanyol decide to lower their price tag for Hermoso, Atletico will drop their interest in these other two central defenders.