ATLETICO Madrid are the latest club to be linked with Rangers starlet Nathan Patterson.

The full-back, 20, has already been touted for a move to the Premier League with reported interest from Everton in the summer.

And after his impressive showing for Scotland in the past week, Spanish giants Atletico have reportedly signalled interest in the defender as they track his progress.

Spanish transfer outlet Fichajes.net claim the La Liga club are following Patterson's development as they look for cover in the full-back position.

It's reported Red Bull Leipzig Marcel Halstenberg is Atletico's top target, but Patterson offers another option at full-back - despite being a right-back by trade.

While Atletico have been linked with Patterson, there's no suggestion any potential move would be cheap with former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard slamming reports of a £5million fee for the defender.

Gerrard was quizzed on Patterson's availability amid reports Everton had bid for the youngster while Liverpool were also remoured to have taken an interest.

Speaking on the rported bid, then manager Gerrard said: “You carry on with the jokes, £5million, wow."

“Look, I’ve only just been told about this. It hasn’t been brought to my attention by anyone whose above me at the club.

“I’ll ask the question when I go back on the bus but if you’re going to talk about Nathan Patterson you need to get real.

“£5m is, I don’t know, that’s definitely come out of a joke book surely.

“I don’t make the decisions in terms of when the right numbers are hit. All the players have got a price, we’ve said this so many times.

"We want to keep all our best players especially our home grown and local ones. There’s a big future here for him he’s got to be patient and he’ll get game time and minutes.

“We’re delighted with Nathan, he’s not someone we’re looking to move on but every single person has got a number. But let me tell you now £5m is so far away it’s unreal.”