Portuguese midfielder Tiago Mendes has rejected offers from Chelsea and Valencia in favour of staying at Atletico Madrid, according to El Mundo Deportivo.
The 33-year-old became a free agent as los Colchoneros allowed his contract to run out and he was widely tipped to join Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
The Blues offered the player a lucrative two-year contract with an opportunity to join club’s coaching staff afterwards, but Tiago hesitated over a return to Stamford Bridge, which saw the Blues pull out of the race.
Valencia then emerged as favourites for his signature, having offered him a two-year deal as well, but the midfielder did not want to play for another club in Spain having spent several very successful years at Atletico.
Los Colchoneros then finally decided to act since Diego Simeone failed to find a replacement for the former Portugal international and they eventually persuaded Tiago to return to Vicente Calderon, even if their proposal was not as good as those submitted by Chelsea and Valencia.
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