Monday, 16th December, 2013
Manchester United's chances of signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke in January have faded, with the Spain international unwilling to leave the Vicente Calderon.
Koke is high on Manchester United's wanted list for the winter window and an approach is expected for the 21-year-old, with Red Devils boss David Moyes having admitted he has money to spend when the transfer market swings open again in just a matter of weeks.
Moyes was in the stands at the Vicente Calderon last Wednesday to check on Koke's progress first hand in Atletico Madrid's Champions League clash against FC Porto.
But if that trip was the precursor to a bid, Moyes faces disappointment when it comes to getting his man.
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According to reports from Spain, Koke does not want to leave Los Rojiblancos in January due to concern about what that might do to his hopes of making Spain's 2014 World Cup squad.
The midfielder also believes jumping ship mid-season would be a foolish move given Atletico Madrid's superb La Liga campaign, which has seen Diego Simeone's men emerge as genuine title contenders.
Los Rojiblancos currently sit level on points in La Liga with leaders Barcelona, both sides having picked up 43 points from 16 games; each also have identical records of 14 wins, one draw and one loss.
Koke is under contract with Atletico Madrid until the summer of 2018.
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