Atlético de Madrid has managed to form a new squad that is capable of staying in the fight for all titles, at least for now. They managed to solve some defects that were very evident last season, especially at the decisive moment for the red-and-white team. Therefore, despite the existence of the Club World Cup, the sports management already has several tasks ahead for the transfer market that will open next summer.
All lines of the field should receive new reinforcements, as many departures are expected, something that was already achieved last year. It will be especially important to improve the defense, one of the strong points in the mattress team since Simeone's arrival in 2011. However, one of the objectives for the defense is on the line, as FC Barcelona seems unwilling to make things easy for one of its rivals.
Showdown Between Barça and Atlético de Madrid
The relationship between both entities has been very fruitful in terms of transfers, carrying out several agreements in the last decade. David Villa, Arda Turan, Luis Suárez, Antoine Griezmann, and Clement Lenglet are some of the names that have changed Madrid for Barcelona. Specifically, it is the French center-back who is set to become the summer saga, as he still belongs to Barça and will have to return there at the end of this season.
His great performance at the Metropolitanohas led Atlético de Madrid to be willing to negotiate to keep him permanently. His salary is 16 million euros with the blue-and-red team, something that led Joan Laporta to desperately seek his departure to lighten the wage bill of his squad. However, his good level has turned him into a potential transfer for Barça to earn more money than expected, something that harms the mattress team.
Simeone Counts on Him
It seemed impossible, but Clement Lenglet has been able to surpass Reinildo and establish himself as a regular starter in the red-and-white defense after Robin Le Normand's injury. He has been able to pair with both the Spanish international and Josema Giménez, bringing his strengths in ball distribution. At FC Barcelona, although they don't count on his return, they would like to earn between 15 and 20 million euros, a figure that is too high for Atlético de Madrid's intention.
Gil Marín's desire would be to spend less than 10 million on the Frenchman, especially considering that his signing would be to fill the gap left by Reinildo. The Mozambican's contract ends, and although he has an automatic renewal option, he is expected to leave the squad once the summer market opens. Additionally, the sports management wants to find another reinforcement for the left side of the defense, with Piero Hincapié being one of the most favored names.