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RIO DE JANEIRO, May 6-- Brazilian midfielder Thiago Mendes could leave French club Lille in the summer to join Atletico Madrid, according to media reports in his homeland. Atletico face competition for the 27-year-old's signature from several European rivals, including Chelsea and Everton, Globo Esporte said on Monday. The newspaper added that the Spanish club is prepared to pay 25 million euros (28 million US dollars) to prise the playmaker away from France. Mendes has made 57 first-team appearances for Lille since joining the club from Sao Paulo in July 2017. He has started in all but one of Lille's 35 Ligue 1 matches this campaign as the club seeks to return to the Champions League next season. His current contract expires in June 2022. A victory at home against Bordeaux on Sunday would guarantee Lille a berth in the group stage of the 2019-20 Champions League. | 
