Atletico confirm offer to Arsenal for unsettled Reyes

MADRID, Aug 24 (Reuters) Atletico Madrid have made a bid for Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes who only recently was thought to be on the verge of a move to their city rivals Real Madrid.

''We made an offer yesterday and we are now waiting for them to get back to us,'' Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told reporters today.

Atletico are reported to have offered Arsenal 12 million euros (15.39 million dollars) for the 22-year-old Spain international who joined the London side from Sevilla for a club record deal worth up to 17 million pounds (.19 million) in January 2004.

Reyes, who has not played for Arsenal so far in the new season, has made no secret of his desire to return to Spain and was close to joining Real Madrid, but the nine-times European champions decided instead to make the signing of Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra their priority.

Atletico also confirmed that they are in talks with Dynamo Moscow over Portugal midfielder Maniche.

''We are also waiting for a response from them over Maniche,'' said Cerezo.

The former Porto player, who has made it clear he wants to leave Dynamo, spent a six-month loan spell at Chelsea last season.

REUTERS DH RN2120