The coming months will be very hectic for Atlético de Madrid in their quest to give another quality boost to their squad and continue competing for titles. One of the tasks will be in defense, where the rojiblancos will need to incorporate at least two new center-backs, as there will be several definite departures. César Azpilicueta and Axel Witsel's contracts are ending, while Reinildo and Clement Lenglet are unsure where they will play next season, although they have some options to stay.
In this context, several names have already been linked with the colchonero team to land in the defensive area in the summer. Some play in LaLiga, a market that at the Metropolitano they hope to continue exploiting after the arrivals of Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth last year. Years ago, a young prospect from Argentina emerged as an option to be at Simeone's disposal, and his career has been going through a difficult time for some time.
The New Diego Godín Can't Find a Team
The South American market has always been an inexhaustible source of young talent for the big clubs in Europe, although it has been somewhat neglected in recent years. Therefore, it is not surprising that Valentín Gómez, considered the best center-back in Argentine soccer, was on the rojiblancos' radar a few years ago. The player, recently a champion with Vélez, was determined to seek his fortune elsewhere, but he hasn't been able to find another team.
At one point, he was close to joining Manchester City, although an injury during the medical examination derailed the entire operation. Several Brazilian clubs have also been interested, but the footballer is training alone in Italy while waiting for his situation to be solved. Initially, an offer was expected for him to sign with Udinese, but that money never arrived, and Vélez expects him to return next Monday if no agreement is reached.
A Signing with a Future for Simeone
Valentín Gómez is 21 years old, and it seems that the Argentine championship has become too small for him, needing a leap in his career. His asking price is below 10 million euros, as Vélez needed to secure a departure to solve their financial situation. It would be a similar bet to Josema Giménez or Nehuén Pérez, young pieces that can increase in value in Europe and become important in a big team.
The only sure thing is that Atlético de Madrid will need to acquire two center-backs, with other options like Cristhian Mosquera, Yarek, or Piero Hincapié on the agenda. All of them are young center-backs with a lot of potential, although their asking prices are very different, with the Ecuadorian being the most complicated. Even so, the sports management is already hard at work to make another statement and make the squad even more competitive.