Simeone: It's normal that Bayern want to pay Lucas' release clause Atletico Madrid Atletico coach spoke in a press conference

After a rollercoaster week for Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone faced the press on Friday with one topic leading the headlines in the future of Lucas Hernandez.

Bayern Munich are keen to pay his 80 million euro release clause to sign him in January, but Simeone would not be pushed to enter into much detail.

"What I can say is that I spoke to him, I spoke to the club, Lucas knows what I think and the club know what I think and what I would like," Simeone replied mysteriously when asked on the rumours.

"Today he is with us and there is no point talking about what ifs, what if he stays, what if he goes because he is here today.

"If he was available for the game, he would play, talking about what ifs is something that I don't like, I don't have to assure you of anything because he's here."

The press continued to pressure Simeone and he would again not be budged, insisting that he would not debate something which is uncertain.

"Right now I'm thinking that Lucas is here and I can't stop that, talking about what ifs and imagine if... Imagine if we say something which doesn't happen, it fills pages, but in reality it doesn't happen," he said tensely.

"We hope that it happens or not and consequently if it happens or not we will have a more complete situation.

"I understand [the journalists'] need to find solutions that generate what we are talking about and it's normal that they do it, they do it well, they have to keep insisting."

When asked how the club would react to the departure, he insisted that he is optimistic that Lucas will not depart.

"It's difficult to talk about something that hasn't happened, I can't imagine something that hasn't happened, I always imagine that positive things happen, not negatives," he added.

"I am always optimistic, Lucas knows the affection we have for him, he knows the player he is and it's normal that a team like Bayern, apparently, want to pay his release clause.

"It's a very important club, then there is the decision and the work that the club do with Lucas so that things carry on as they are."

Some looked to mention accusations that a new deal for Antoine Griezmann has caused disruption and discontent in the dressing room.

"From the news on Lucas, [journalists] have the need to look for situations which are created to comment on and make controversy, it's understandable," he responded.

"When it comes to me, we have a very important game with Espanyol in which we have to keep on the same lines.

"They come with difficulties because they have lost games undeservedly and will demand more from us.

"We have a spectacular day, Gabi is back at the Estadio Wanda Metroploitano, where he left us not long ago, it's an important moment for him and the people at the end of the game."

Former captain Gabi will return for a unique tribute ahead of a must win fixture against Espanyol.

"It's a hard game, they've played well in the last few games despite undeserved defeat, which could give us difficulties," he analysed.

"They play with a lot of movement which affects the attack they offer, with an organised defence.

"We have to carry the game to where we want to make damage."

The game will take place on Saturday as the final fixture of 2018 for both sides.