Spanish La Liga Santander giants Atletico de Madrid have identified a route to funding the purchase of Ghanaian central defender Salisu Mohammed from Real Valladolid.

Salisu, 21, came close to joining French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes on Thursday but talks collapsed over a disagreement on his valuation.

Valladolid is demanding a fee in excess of €15m but Rennes insisted on paying his current transfer market valuation which stands at €12m.

Rennes’ failure to land the defender has put Atletico Madrid back in the race to land him and Los Rojiblancos have identified a clear strategy to sign him.

According to Ghanasportsonline.com checks Atletico would sell striker Alvaro Morata to Serie A giants Inter Milan for a reported fee of €50m and use part of the revenue to fund the purchase of the defender.

Salisu has risen to prominence in world football after enjoying a sensational season on the Spanish top-flight league.

He was nurtured by Nsawam-based Spanish-owned football academy African Soccer Talent Academy.