Atletico Madrid have been one of the most impressive clubs in the transfer window this summer and have conducted very savvy business.
The club have only won the La Liga title once in the previous 10 seasons. Last season’s fourth-place was the furthest they have finished from the top in the three years since they last won it in 2021. They finished 19 points behind Real Madrid and also disappointed in the Champions League. The squad was aging and fans were unhappy. This summer however has seen huge change. 12 players have left the club, none of whom will be hugely missed. The signings that have been confirmed are both very smart buys and from other La Liga teams, meaning they are tried and tested.They have already signed Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad and Alexander Sorloth from Villarreal, following the departure of Alvaro Morata to AC Milan.They are about to finalise two deals which will surely put them in the frame for a title challenge. Conor Gallagher has reportedly agreed to join the Spanish club from Chelsea whilst a deal to sign Julian Alvarez for £82 million from Manchester City is also being finalised.Once these two signings have been completed it will take Atleti’s expenditure to £172 million this summer. This will put them amongst the biggest spenders in Europe which is a real statement of intent. The possible incomings of Gallagher and Alvarez signal that Atleti are strongly targeting silverware next season. Gallagher is perfect for a Diego Simeone team. He is a great presser of the ball, full of energy and completely takes on board a manager’s instructions. These traits have seen him strongly favoured by Frank Lampard, Gareth Southgate and Mauricio Pochettino in the past.Alvarez would become Atletico’s second most expensive signing ever, only behind João Félix. The Spanish club do not often splash the cash, their fourth most expensive signing was Radamel Falcao for €40 million, a deal they completed 12 years ago. The only problem is as Atletico have improved, so have Real Madrid. The other club in the capital have signed the best player in the world, Kylian Mbappe, to boost their chance of retaining the title.
It will be a tall order for Simeone’s men to win La Liga but from the evidence, they will certainly give it a go.
