体坛英语新闻：Atletico Madrid optimistic over signing Juventus midfielder Thiago

MADRID, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo said this Friday that he was optimistic that the club could capture the signing of Portuguese midfielder Thiago Cardoso Mendes from Italian side Juventus.

Thiago spent the second half of last season on loan with Atletico and was partly responsible for the team' s improved form in the run in to the end of the campaign.

Atletico has spend the summer trying to agree a permanent deal with Juventus, but as of yet, nothing has been agreed to take the player, who has also played for Chelsea and who has played for his country on 50 occasions.

"Nothing is easy these days in negotiations," admitted Cerezo on radio station Cadena Ser.

"It is normal for the deal to take time in being resolved," he said. "We have maintained the same position on Thiago for several months now, but we are expecting a happy ending to the question," he said.

Atletico has already made five signings ahead of the new season with Fran Merida, Diego Costa, Mario Suarez, Felipe Luis and Godin joining the club.