MADRID, Nov 1 — Atletico Madrid have agreed to sign midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from La Liga side Valencia, Spanish media reported on Saturday.

Spanish newspapers Marca and AS said French midfielder Kondogbia, 27, was set to have a medical at Atletico on Sunday after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

Atletico have been given special dispensation to sign Kondogbia by organising body La Liga after Arsenal signed Thomas Partey just before the window closed by activating his €50-million (RM242.4 million) release clause.

La Liga’s rules allow clubs who have lost a player after their release clause was triggered to sign another player within a month provided they already play in Spain or are out of contract.

Kondogbia looked set to leave Valencia for Atletico before the transfer window shut but eventually stayed at the club, who sold a number of high-profile players in the close season including captain Dani Parejo and Spain forward Rodrigo Moreno.

Kondogbia lashed out at president Anil Murthy on social media earlier this month, saying he had "destroyed the club’s ambitious project and broken your promise to the coach and me”.

Kondogbia began his career with French side Lens before moving to Sevilla and had an ugly confrontation with Atletico striker Diego Costa in a 2013 Copa del Rey tie.

He later moved to AS Monaco and Inter Milan, joining Valencia on loan in 2017 before completing a permanent move the following year. — Reuters