26 Jul 2020 23:59:07
Hi Ed was wondering if I could ask for an update on Atelticos transfer plans this summer major acquisitions and major sales, if you would?

{Ed002's Note - Atletico have serious money problems that they can resolve by selling one of Oblak or Saul but will fight to keep Koke and Gimenez. You can reasonably expect one to leave and Oblak has issues with one of the staff members. They want to keep Thomas Partey (DM) but a cash injection matching his buy out clause would be welcome. Thomas Lemar (AM/LW) is being hawked around Premier League sides but I doubt there will be takers. Alvaro Morato (S) Atletico could sell him on is they can profit on the money owed to Chelsea. Slim chance of it happening. Others would not fetch significant sums.

This has not been updated since before the pandemic but shows who tehy were looking at. Obviously a lot have since been sold or are in talks with other sides:

Bouna Sarr (RWB/RW) West Ham, Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid have enquired after Sarr. Unlikely due to money issues.
Nicolas Tagliafico (LWB) the agreement is he will be made available this summer - first choice for Barcelona but money may be an issue - and priorities are an issue for Inter who have preferred options - far from first choice for Chelsea but on a lengthy list of LBs but the club has considered - although interestingly Ajax will be taking a LB from Chelsea this summer. Atletico Madrid has also taken a look at him but would need cash from sales to make any move - and they will prioritise others. PSG has an interest if they cannot get the player they want as part of a complex transaction where they would buy and then sell on a player. The issue with PSG is they have Bernat and too a youngster, Mitchel Bakker, from Ajax last year and he will step up. So PSG is unlikely.
Pervis Estupinan (LB) has drawn the attention of Atletico Madrid whilst on loan in Spain from Watford. Other sides, notably Barcelona, see him as cover whereas Atletico will integrate him in to the first team. Osasuna would like to keep him next season.
Alessio Romagnoli (CB) The player Milan don't want to let go of with the FFP issues looming - a break as a result of the Coronavirus should give Milan a chance to re-organise finances to try to hang on to him although Atletico Madrid are very keen. Milan would possibly be open to using him in a trade. Again a favourit of Mr Mourinho from his time at Manchester United.
Mohammed Salisu (CB) Norwich were very keen on taking the Valladolid centre back in January but will face opposition from Wolves, Southampton and Everton. Manchester United and Valencia have been credited with scouting the player by his club, but they have also said the are in talks with Atletico Madrid. Rennes agreed a fee with Valladolid for Salisu but his agent rejected a move to France in favour of a move to the Premier League. He will see what options are available.
Kristoffer Ajer (CB) Milan see Ajar as a cheaper option to their primary target but funds may not stretch as they look to sell players and buy lower priced alternatives. With other options falling by the wayside, Ajar is of interest to Leicester. Top of the list for Atletico Madrid - but only if they lose a CB - which they are trying to avoid. Previous interest of Spurs, Newcastle and Ajax has moved on.
Ivan Rakitic (AM/CM) possible short-term option
Emi Buendia (AM/CM) Atletico Madrid would like to see him replace Lemar. Leeds, if promoted, will move forward with their declared interest.
James Rodriguez (AM) looks possible if the money can be resolved.
Thiago Almada (AM/LW/F) - Manchester City have been in discussions over the player since early 2019 and have accepted any move may be complicated and may involve a long-term "loan" to Sporting. Plan B was a loan to Girona but that would leave complications remaining. In January 2020 discussions were held with Atletico Madrid. Inter, Juventus and Barcelona have declared an interest in the player and have spoken with Velez Sarsfield and his agent has apparently spoken with major sides across Europe including Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madid. Scratch him from the Atletico list.
Lautaro Martinez (S) Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich have all scouted him but Atletico will be put off by the price and Barcelona, who see LM as a potential Suarez replacement will likely not be able to afford both him and Neymar unless Griezmann and Dembele move - and even then they would need Inter to accept players as part exchange or perhaps a payment plan - but the clubs are talking (Vidal and Samedo have been initially offered up). But Inter want at least €80M in a single cash payment - and that will prove difficult for clubs. Bayern Munich still see him as an option to Timo Werner but a move is unlikely. Chelsea have a sustained interest but those responsible for recruitment see him heading to Barcelona - and whilst Manchester City see him as a potential Aguero replacement, they are having to rethink their plans regardless of how any appeal turns out. Real Madrid are considering Werner as a cheaper option as they are also looking at a world record fee signing in Mbappe as well. If PSG lose Icardi to Juventus they could turn to LM but much will depend on the new coach and Barcelona pushing for the transfer. Zero chance of a move to AM.
Edison Cavani (S) Atletico Madrid see Cavani as an 12 month solution to get the striker role sorted out but the cost is seen by them as huge. Inter Milan have had a discussion with a third party but can only offer "50%" of the salary requested but it is possible if the player makes financial concessions. Roma are also interested but again the wages are an issue. Napoli could offer an option.
Olivier Giroud (S) offers from Lazio, Inter Milan and Spurs and talks with Crystal Palace, Lyon, West Ham, Bordeaux, Lokomotiv Moscow and Atletico Madrid - wife will need to be part of the decision process. Signed a one year extention but potentially available still. I would scratch him from the Atletico list.
Gustavo Maia (S) Prolific Sao Paulo reserves youngster who is expected to have a very good career and has been scouted by numerous sides. Atletico Madid and Shakhtar Donetsk have tried to strike a deal but it will likely be Barcelona who will win out as they have already deposited a reserve payment - with an option to complete by making a further payment this summer. A move to England is unlikely for a number of reasons, not least he would never be Home Grown, although clubs including Liverpool and Spurs were impressed with him after watching the Sao Paulo Youth Cup. Barcelona have discussed a move with his agent. I would scratch him from the Atletico list.
Arkadiusz Milik (S) wanted by Milan who have offered Kessie in exchange. Juventus and Spurs have both enquired. Napoli are looking toward keeping both Arkadiusz Milik and Dries Mertens and shifting the issue forward a year by which time internal problems may have gone. Do not discount Atletico Madrid but it remains unlikely in my view.
Fabio Silva (S) wanted by Juventus as a replacement for Mario Mandzukic but price is far too high for them and attention is looking back toward another. Atletico Madrid have talked with Porto - but again the price would be an issue. Again an enquiry from Shakhtar Donetsk was dropped because of the price.
Alexandre Lacazette (S) Plan B to EC
Timo Werner (S)
Mohamed Sankoh (S) young Dutch kiddie of serious interest to Atletico Madrid - additionally Chelsea spoke with Stoke about him when discussing another player and both Spurs and Everton have made enquiries.
Mario Goetze (S/AM) is out of contract in the summer but he has spent a reasonable time playing this season as a CF - even though he is at loggerheads with the club and being a bit of a bitch about a new contract. I would be surprised if Liverpool see him as the way forward. There was a general enquiry from Hertha Berlin which might provide one option for him - else he may want to look at the MLS but his desired location is Italy - but takers are thin on the ground although Roma have spoken directly with the player and Milan see him has an option to others as they look to resolving their FFP issues. Atletico Madrid offer an option.

1.) 27 Jul 2020
27 Jul 2020 13:06:55
Much love Ed.

2.) 31 Jul 2020
30 Jul 2020 23:11:01
Do Atletico have a goalkeeper in mind should they lose Oblak?

{Ed002's Note - They have a couple of ideas but are not looking to lose Oblak.}