With key departures seemingly looming, Atlético Madrid looks to be facing a transitional period and must invest heavily in the summer if it wishes to continue its progress under Diego Simeone.
With news arriving that Juventus had struck an agreement with Atlético over striker Mario Mandžukić for a reported €18m on a four-year contract, the Croatian looks set to join the ever-growing list of departing players for the Madrid side. This could well be the start of a shake-up for the club after finishing third in La Liga, a year on from its historic triumph in the 2013-14 season.
Beppe Marotta, Juventus Director General, is understood to have visited the Spanish capital to finalise the move in person in a bid to seemingly replace the soon-to-be-departing Carlos Tevez, who was coincidently linked with Atlético when Simeone expressed his interest in working with the Argentinean.
Another who could follow Mandžukić out is Brazilian international Joao Miranda. The 30-year-old has one season left on his current Atlético deal and has been targeted by a host of European heavyweights including Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks.
However, it looks to be Inter Milan who has stepped up its interest in the defender. Reports suggest the Italians have offered €12.5m for the Brazilian and that that offer has been accepted by Atlético. The transfer would end an impressive spell for Miranda, who arrived in 2011 and helped the club to win La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup, as well as a runners-up medal in the famous Madrid Derby Champions League final in 2014.
Lastly, Arsenal target Mario Suárez looks destined to finally seal a move away after playing a bit-part role this term. After looking destined to move to London back in January, both the player and club decided best wait until the summer to determine the youth academy product’s future. However, the emergence of Francis Coquelin has pulled Arsenal’s interest elsewhere for different positions.
Arsenal’s interest has faded somewhat, but reports have linked Suárez to a number of Italian sides. Suárez’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quillon, further fuelled rumours of a move to Italy for the twice-capped Spanish international.
“He is a spectacular player and the Italians wanted him,” Garcia said.
“He was followed in January by three or four Italian teams, including Milan, Inter and Napoli.”
With Saúl looking impressive this season and certain to feature more regularly, Suárez, at the age of 28, will find first team football difficult to come by again in 2015-16, so it would be understandable if he pushes for a transfer.
With the performances of Gabi and Tiago slipping from those of 2014, the money from the sales of Mandžukić, Miranda and Suárez will reap in a significant sum for Simeone to invest back into the team, particularly the aging midfield.
The 2014-15 season featured Koke playing out wide for the majority of the season to accommodate the partnership of Gabi and Tiago. However, Koke has expressed his desire to feature back in his preferred central position in midfield for the following season.
“I am ready to play as a central midfielder next season,” Koke revealed.
With Koke looking at a shift back to the centre, the need for a strong defensive-minded midfielder to protect and help provide space for Koke must be a priority for Atlético. Yet the man lined up to take the role should bring concern to the Atlético faithful if the move does go ahead.
Whispers suggest Simeone will make a surprise move for Thiago Motta, but the decision must be seen as a gamble. The Brazilian is now 32, approaching his twilight years and has been battling injury. Those problems that burdened Motta’s season have seen his automatic starting berth go to the likes of Yohan Cabaye and youngster Adrien Rabiot who both impressed in his absence.
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The addition of Motta would not help the transition of Atlético’s midfield. With the aging duo of Gabi and Tiago, the promising Óliver Torres suffering another injury and the apparent departure of Suárez, Atlético should look past the risky Italian.
With Miranda set to be leaving, Simeone has a young but suitable replacement already in José Giménez who demonstrated his quality this past season.
In regards to Mandžukić, the acquisition of Villarreal’s exciting young striker Luciano Vietto is supposedly ‘close’ after Atlético matched the Argentinean’s buyout clause. The striker position is further propped up with Fernando Torres’ continued loan spell.
Yet a backup centre-back and two midfielders to join the potential arrival of Vietto would be ideal for the new season to replace the likely departures of the three key players. The summer will produce a busy schedule for the Madrid side as it looks to rejuvenate and strengthen a team that looks to be out of its depth in matching Barcelona and Real Madrid in the upcoming season.
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