Expenses amount to €183.5 million with the arrivals of Gallagher (Chelsea) and Álvarez (Man. City). The Colchoneros have heavily invested in just four players to provide more options for Diego Simeone. Sales are now essential, and João Félix remains on the market despite a strong preseason.
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It has been an eventful period for Atlético de Madrid in the transfer market. Although Conor Gallagher and Julián Álvarez have yet to be officially announced as Atlético players, their imminent arrivals are set to significantly bolster Diego Simeone's squad, positioning the Madrid club as the dominant force in this summer's transfer window.
So far, Atlético de Madrid has spent a whopping €183.5 million, surpassing the €176.2 million outlay of Aston Villa, another club heavily active in the market. This substantial investment reflects the club's ambition to compete at the highest level, particularly in La Liga and the Champions League. The spending spree began with the acquisition of Norwegian forward Alexander Sørloth from Villarreal for €32 million, followed by the signing of French center-back Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad for €34.5 million. These deals have now been complemented by the pending transfers of Gallagher and Álvarez.
Gallagher’s move from Chelsea, costing Atlético €42 million, is almost finalized. The 24-year-old midfielder has already integrated into the squad, participating in training sessions with players who did not travel to Hong Kong for the preseason tour. The club shared a photo of Gallagher at the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, captioning it: "Visiting while Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea finalize the transfer," signaling that the deal is on the verge of completion.
Julián Álvarez’s transfer from Manchester City, on the other hand, was confirmed in an unusual manner by City’s own manager, Pep Guardiola. Speaking during a press conference ahead of the English Super Cup, Guardiola acknowledged the agreement between the two clubs, expressing his well-wishes for the Argentine forward. "The clubs have reached an agreement, so everything is fine. Good luck to him, we love him, we won everything," said Guardiola, reflecting on Álvarez’s successful stint at City.
The financial outlay for Álvarez is substantial, with an initial €75 million fee agreed upon. However, the deal includes various performance-based variables that could push the total cost close to €100 million. This significant investment underlines Atlético’s determination to assemble a squad capable of challenging for top honors on all fronts.
However, with such heavy spending comes the necessity to balance the books, particularly in light of UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Atlético is now focused on generating revenue through player sales. One potential outgoing transfer involves Samu Omorodion, who is expected to move in the opposite direction of Gallagher. The young player could be transferred for around €40 million, helping the club offset some of its recent expenditures.
Additionally, the future of João Félix remains uncertain. Despite delivering strong performances during the team's preseason tour in Asia, the Portuguese forward is still considered available for transfer. His potential sale could provide Atlético with the financial flexibility needed to comply with FFP requirements and possibly fund further signings.
In summary, Atlético de Madrid’s aggressive approach in the transfer market has made them the talk of European football. With major signings nearly finalized and the need for strategic sales becoming more pressing, the club’s transfer activity in the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping their season ahead.
Updated: 12:55, 10 Aug 2024
