Atlético de Madrid is already looking at the summer market, although it is fully focused on what these months of competition will be. For the red and whites, it is extremely important that the match-by-match approach is clearer than ever and that they continue advancing in all competitions. Simeone has his team involved in the Copa, La Liga, and Champions League, with the anticipation of the Club World Cup, which will be played after the league ends between June and July.
Simeone knows that the future of all his players is not yet defined, but he does know that some will stay and others, naturally, will leave. It is part of the cycle of life and football; some come, others stay, and others leave. Goalkeeper Juan Musso is one of those who, if nothing changes, will stay wearing Atlético de Madrid's jersey.
He arrived from Atalanta Bergamo in the summer on loan with a purchase option of 7 million euros ($7.4 million) if he played at least 15 matches, which doesn't seem likely. This doesn't mean they don't want to keep him permanently; they are delighted with his performance and his camaraderie. He is one of the great revelations of the red and white season, and many point out that part of the great level Jan Oblak is showing is due to the competition from "Juancho."
Musso provides security
Musso has played against Athletic in La Liga, Vic, Cacereño, Marbella, Elche, and Getafe in the Copa, standing out in all matches as a very sober and secure goalkeeper. A similar case occurs with Clement Lenglet, whom they want to retain, but they fear that Barça will want to settle old "debts." With the blaugranas already at 1:1 for the Metropolitano, there is a fear that the culés will demand a price outside the market for what they expected to pay for Clement Lenglet.
In any case, Lenglet himself will have to negotiate with Barça if they don't want him to return next summer. Barça has more than five central defenders, with Cubarsí, Araújo, Íñigo, Christensen, Eric García, Koundé who can play there, and Lenglet would be the seventh. Flick even wants to sign another central defender with Jonathan Tah in the showcase.
Witsel and Azpilicueta closer to farewell
Axel Witsel is nearing his final months at Atlético, with more than 100 matches he already sees the end on the horizon. The Belgian is thinking about his future and already sees himself returning to Standard Liège, to retire with his own. The United States is another market where the 36-year-old player could land, the option of him staying at Atleti is quite reduced, although everything will depend on his performance.
A similar situation to César Azpilicueta, the Navarrese is facing his final months at Atleti, with a return to Osasuna as the most likely option of all. Although in his case a renewal is not ruled out, as César is very happy in Madrid and for Simeone, he is important in the locker room. Azpilicueta has been at the club for two seasons and hopes that in these six months he can convince Simeone to request his renewal.