Atlético de Madrid have confirmed the departure of Santiago Mouriño to Alavés in a move that marks the end of his brief and unremarkable time at the Colchoneros. Mouriño, a Uruguayan centre-back who joined Atlético in the summer of 2023, has been transferred to Alavés without having played a single game in the red-and-white shirt. This operation once again highlights Atlético's focus on adjusting its squad and freeing up space for new signings.
Santiago Mouriño, who was loaned to Real Zaragoza last season, failed to earn a place in Atlético Madrid's first team. A lack of opportunities and limited performances during his loan spell at Zaragoza led to the club's decision to look for a permanent exit for the player.
A financial decision
Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone, have had to make tough decisions to optimise their squad. The sale of Mourinho not only frees up space in the squad, but also allows the club to register new players within the salary cap. The signing of Clement Lenglet has been one of Atletico's priorities, and Mourinho's departure, along with that of other players, makes it easier for the French defender to join.
Mouriño's case illustrates the complexities and challenges of managing a top-level squad in modern football. Despite showing potential in his early stages, the player failed to adapt to the demanding level of Atlético Madrid. His performances during his loan spell and his brief time at the club were not enough to win Simeone's trust and secure his place in the team.
For their part, Alavés, who have acquired Mouriño on a five-year contract, will be hoping that the Uruguayan centre-back can prove his worth in La Liga. The transfer includes a buy-back clause, allowing Atlético Madrid the chance to recover the player in the future if he were to excel at the Vitorian side. This clause reflects the hope of the red-and-white club that Mouriño can develop and, perhaps, become a valuable player in the future.