Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid could miss out on €15-20 million if UCL group-stage exit becomes reality
It has not been the most ideal of starts to the season for Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos are already well behind bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona in the La Liga title race while their UEFA Champions League campaign is also in a delicate situation.
Drawn in Group B along with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, FC Porto and Club Brugge, Diego Simeone’s side are currently third in the standings, with just four points from four matches so far in the competition.
Indeed, Atletico have won just one of their four games and find themselves six points behind leaders Club Brugge and two below Porto in second. With Bayer Leverkusen only a point off of them, Simeone & co. find themselves in a muddle at the moment.
Atletico face Leverkusen on Wednesday before completing their group-stage assignment with a trip to Porto in early November. And for them to stand a chance of qualifying, the Colchoneros need to bag all points possible. If not, they will have to hope that results elsewhere go in their favour.
But with the possibility of a group-stage elimination looming large, if such a scenario materialises, it could have a drastic impact on Atletico Madrid’s finances, reports MARCA.
As per the report, the Spanish capital club could stand to miss out on as much as €15-20 million at the very least, in case they do not qualify for the Round of 16 of the Champions League. Not to mention the damage it will bring to the club in terms of pride.
It is no secret that Atletico are in a precarious situation financially and are in need of generating extra income. President Enrique Cerezo had said earlier in the summer that the club would need to make around €40 million, although some sources indicate the figure could be as high as €60 million.
With the situation being as it is, crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage and missing out an additional revenue of around €15-20 million will be a major blow.
It could possibly force Atletico Madrid to sell players in the January transfer window. Joao Felix has already been linked with a winter exit, while Rodrigo De Paul could be another candidate for a possible sale, even though the club president insisted otherwise.
It goes without saying that Atletico Madrid will need to make the most of their upcoming Champions League clashes against Leverkusen and Porto.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid among clubs weighing up a summer move for €20 million Barcelona defender
Having successfully raided FC Barcelona for the signing of Memphis Depay during the January transfer window, Atletico Madrid could look to bring in another player from Spotify Camp Nou come summer.
Indeed, according to SPORT, Atletico are among clubs who are interested in signing Barcelona ace Sergino Dest, who is currently away on loan at AC Milan.
Dest has been out of favour at Barça since Xavi Hernandez arrived at the club back in November 2021. The USMNT right-back was sent out on loan to Milan last summer so that he can play regularly.
The Rossoneri have the option of signing the ex-Ajax man permanently for €20 million, but are unlikely to take it up as the right-back has largely underwhelmed during his time in Italy, playing just 14 games in all competitions.
But, that has seemingly not deterred clubs in La Liga, including Atletico Madrid, who are reportedly willing to take a punt on Dest in the summer.
As things stand, Atletico have Nahuel Molina as their primary right-back, but the Argentine has not been consistent enough in his debut season at the club.
Matt Doherty arrived on a free transfer from Tottenham in January but has only played 12 minutes so far, indicating where he stands in Diego Simeone’s scheme. So, a new right-back might not entirely be ruled out at the Civitas Metropolitano come summer.
Dest, though, is also attracting interest from Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal, while an unnamed MLS club also want the right-back.
Barcelona, for their part, wish to recoup the €20 million they spent on him almost three years ago, which could become a roadblock for Atletico Madrid if they do indeed pursue the right-back with greater intent.
As things stand, there is just initial interest and there is nothing concrete from Atletico or any clubs. Only time will tell if that changes once Dest returns from his loan spell.
