Atlético Mineiro in talks to keep Chelsea loanee Nathan

Atlético Mineiro might have had a few more problems than anticipated this year, finishing just 13th in the Brazilian Serie A and almost missing the classification spot for next year’s Copa Sul-Americana (which is South America’s Europa League), but Chelsea loanee Nathan still managed to do quite well despite the circumstances.

While he missed the last eight matches of the year due to a thigh injury, he still collected 20 league appearances, scoring four goals in some of the biggest games of their season, including against champions Flamengo, third-place Palmeiras, and Atlético’s major rivals, Cruzeiro — and that’s despite playing mostly in a deeper position, moving from his natural position as an attacking midfielder to central midfield.

Unsurprisingly, Atlético are trying to get Nathan to stay, though club president Sergio Sette Camara is aware that Chelsea are not a charity even if Nathan will only have six months left on his contract once the winter transfer window opens next week.

“[Football director] Rui Costa is trying to get a contract renewal that will be good for Atlético. I like the player, I think he had a good season.”

“He began timidly, not well adapted, perhaps the re-adaptation to Brazilian football was a bit difficult. But in the second semester he had good matches, and I think he is a player who can stay. We are in talks.”

-Sergio Sette Camara; source: Record TV

Best of luck to all involved.