Diego Simeone: 'I want to keep Mario Suarez'

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has played down speculation linking Mario Suarez with a move away from the Vicente Calderon this month.

The Spanish midfielder is believed to be a transfer target for a number of Serie A clubs, but Simeone has said that the 27-year-old is "an important player" for the Spanish side.

"Mario is an important player for us and we've no intention of letting him go," the Argentine told Sky Sports News.

"What would we do if an important offer came in for him? You'd have to ask [sporting directors] Jose Luis Caminero and Andrea Berta."

Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in the midfielder, who has been left out of the big matches this season.