Atletico Madrid are preparing for a difficult La Liga summer, with Football Espana reporting that sporting director Mateu Alemany may need a significant sale before reshaping Diego Simeone's defence.
Atletico Madrid Face Defensive Reset
The report, citing Sport, says Alemany is bracing for what has been described as a painful sale as Atletico look to fund defensive reinforcements. The need is not hard to spot. Atletico conceded 81 goals across all competitions last season, including 44 in La Liga.
Alemany has identified the back line as the priority area for investment, with Cuti Romero described as his top defensive target. Football Espana also noted previous reporting that Alemany has shown a willingness to sanction major departures to fund the rebuild.
That is the uncomfortable arithmetic of Atletico's summer: a defence needs work, but the work may first require selling someone the club would rather not explain away in a short statement.
Gimenez And Lenglet Among Possible Atletico Exits
Sport report that only three of Atletico's five senior centre-backs have guaranteed continuity heading into next season. David Hancko and Marc Pubill are expected to start, while Robin Le Normand is pencilled in as a rotation option.
That leaves Clement Lenglet and Jose Maria Gimenez as the two most likely defensive exits. Lenglet's case is described as the simpler one. Football Espana says the French defender was acquired for EUR3m and has struggled after a promising first loan season, with errors damaging his place in the squad.
A sale of Lenglet that produces a reasonable return on a modest outlay would suit Alemany's plan. It would also be the least dramatic way to start clearing space.
Gimenez is the heavier call. The Uruguay defender remains Atletico's captain and a cult figure with supporters, but the report notes that injuries have affected his form and that Simeone has often preferred other options when Gimenez has been fit.
Alemany's Transfer Window Runs To August 31
Football Espana also cites Madrid press reports of friction between Gimenez and Simeone. If a significant offer arrives, the club would give it serious consideration, according to the article.
The broader plan is not limited to defence. Atletico have already opened talks over at least one midfield addition, Football Espana reported, but the funding issue remains tied to wages and transfer income from players who can be moved.
The summer window closes on August 31, giving Alemany time to work but not much room for sentiment. Selling Lenglet would be business. Selling Gimenez would be something closer to a statement about where Atletico think the Simeone era has to go next.