Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid compile a list of core players to build the team around – report
Atletico Madrid are one of few clubs across Europe that are bracing themselves for a busy transfer window ahead.
The club were shockingly knocked out of European competitions in the first half of the season and are now in desperate need of a major rejig in their attempts to seek a fresh start.
This could lead to the exit of a host of star players across the team, including the likes of Thomas Lemar and Rodrigo De Paul, both of who seem destined to depart Civitas Metropolitano after the turn of the year.
However, according to AS, Atletico Madrid are not looking to offload every star player in the team and there are certain individuals who have been labelled as unattainable for other clubs.
The list includes long-time midfielder and club captain Koke, along with goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Their experience makes them invaluable to the team’s long and short-term growth. The same can be said for Antoine Griezmann, who had recently made his move to Atleti from Barcelona permanent.
Although the Frenchman was only a shadow of the player he once was, the former Real Sociedad starlet is still considered a vital asset to the club’s attacking unit.
Other players on this list include Alvaro Morata and Marcos Llorente, along with defensive players Reinildo Mandava, Jose Maria Gimenez and Stefan Savic.
Morata has proven to be quite effective with his goalscoring prowess whereas Llorente’s versatility has been handy for Simeone in the past. Reinildo, too, has proven to be a bargain after joining the club from France.
Savic, meanwhile, is seen as the leader of the central defensive unit at Atletico Madrid. Although the Montenegrin international has struggled with injuries, his aggression and experience make him an ideal leader of the Atleti defence in the years to come.
As for players like Lemar, De Paul, Mario Hermoso and Matheus Cunha, among others, the club would allow them to leave if interesting offers arrive. The same applies for Joao Felix as well, who scored for Portugal in their win over Ghana at the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Thursday.
All in all, there could be major tweaks made to the squad at Atletico Madrid over the next couple of transfer windows.
There is no doubt that Atletico Madrid are bracing themselves for a busy summer ahead as they look to address the future of some of their star players. One of them is Saul Niguez, who has fallen out of favour under Diego Simeone and could leave the club.
A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered an update on the future of the Spaniard, suggesting that the player has once again become a market attraction.
The versatile star was on loan at Chelsea last season, but his spell at Stamford Bridge was far from ideal, as he featured in less than 500 minutes of league football. He returned to Atletico Madrid in the summer, and even though he wanted to leave the club, a move did not materialise.
Saul was even linked with a move away from Atleti in January. But Valencia, who were interested in him at the time, could not afford the deal, particularly because of the player’s salary and transfer fees.
The report from Mundo Deportivo states that Valencia have retained their interest in the player. But in addition to Los Che, Saul has been targeted by two other Spanish teams in the form of Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla.
Rayo have expressed the desire to sign Saul in the coming season. But they are likely to face economic difficulties in funding a move for the midfielder. The same can be said for Sevilla.
Saul’s current contract at Atletico Madrid expires in 2026, a deal that was agreed when the player was at his peak. But the long contract has now come back to haunt Atleti, as they desperately look to get rid of the Spanish international.
With his suitors likely to face financial trouble in weighing up a move, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Saul in the coming summer.
Saul is not the only Atletico Madrid player facing an uncertain future, with Axel Witsel’s father also hinting at a possible exit recently.
