Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper wanted by Serie A outfit in January – report
Atletico Madrid could be staring at a busy January transfer window as they look to restructure their squad amidst a difficult financial situation.
A number of player sales are expected with the likes of Matheus Cunha, Joao Felix, Felipe and Mario Hermoso all likely to be on their way out of the Civitas Metropolitano over the next month.
And, another name who could follow the aforementioned stars through the exit doors is backup goalkeeper Ivo Grbic.
Indeed, as per reports in Italy, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, the Croatian goalkeeper is attracting interest from Serie A outfit Salernitana.
Grbic has been with Atletico Madrid since 2020 when he signed from NK Lokomotiva. But the 26-year-old has had to play second-fiddle to first-choice custodian Jan Oblak throughout his stint at the Spanish capital club.
The Croatian ace spent the last season out on loan at LOSC Lille and fared decently, before returning to the Civitas Metropolitano this past summer. He made his La Liga debut for the Rojiblancos this season and has featured five times in all competitions, conceding four goals.
Grbic is set to enter the final 18 months of his contract with Los Colchoneros, who could contemplate a sale to generate some revenue.
And Salernitana have presented themselves as a possible destination for the 26-year-old, who is currently at the FIFA World Cup with the Croatian national team.
The Italian club have lost their first-choice goalkeeper Luigi Sepe to an injury and are on the lookout for a replacement until the veteran star is ready to return, which is where Grbic enters the picture.
The report does not specify whether the Serie A minnows are looking for a loan deal or a permanent transfer. But, as things stand, the Atletico Madrid ace is on the list of possible options prepared by director Morgan De Sanctis.
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.
