Analysing Atletico Madrid’s Transfer Window: Are They Ready To Topple The Big Two Again?

Atlético Madrid have made aggressive moves in the transfer market this summer, with Julian Álvarez set to join from Manchester City in a high-profile deal. Could this signal another title challenge?

The amount Atlético Madrid are reportedly ready to pay for Julian Álvarez can be interpreted in a couple of ways.

On one hand, it’s a bold statement of intent, showcasing Atlético’s ambition. They’ve already made waves this summer by securing Alexander Sørloth and Robin Le Normand, and with a deal for Conor Gallagher likely, their intent is clear. More signings have been rumored, but you get the idea—Atlético Madrid are serious about making an impact.

On the other hand, the reported €95 million fee for Álvarez highlights how far Atlético feel they’ve fallen in competing with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and in Europe’s top competition, the UEFA Champions League. Perhaps more concerning is the progress made by Spain’s chasing pack—Athletic Club, Real Sociedad, and Girona—who have closed the gap on Atlético in recent years.

Desperate times often lead to eye-popping transfer fees.

This is the first opportunity in years for them to demonstrate their ambition. Several high-earning players—Álvaro Morata, Saúl Ñíguez, Memphis Depay, Stefan Savic, and Mario Hermoso—have departed this summer, freeing up significant wages, with some even generating transfer fees. Additionally, funds from previous sales like Matheus Cunha, Renan Lodi, and Yannick Carrasco have bolstered their finances. They’re also set to sell Samu Omorodion to Chelsea and are likely to finally offload João Félix before the transfer window closes.

This isn’t just evolution; it’s a revolution—possibly the first since Diego Simeone took charge in 2011. In 2019, they revamped their squad after selling Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona, Lucas Hernández to Bayern Munich, and Rodri to Manchester City. However, that turnover felt more reactive, the typical response of a selling club when the giants come calling.

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Atlético Madrid Revamping an Ageing Squad

Atlético Madrid’s ageing squad needed urgent attention, with the problem worsening each season. Last season, only one player aged 24 or younger, Samuel Lino, played more than 50% of the league minutes. The team had the second-oldest average starting eleven in La Liga (29 years and 232 days), trailing only Rayo Vallecano.

Simeone’s remarkable record of securing Champions League qualification every season since taking charge had raised expectations to the point where taking big risks was no longer an option. When you’re teetering on the edge, with only fifth place and Europa League football below, giving young players significant minutes isn’t a luxury you can afford.

This situation had also led to a sense of stagnation in Atlético Madrid’s transfer dealings in recent years.

For the past few summers, you didn’t need a calendar to know the date in Madrid; tracking Atlético’s transfer news was enough. The recurring Morata departure rumors would surface in early June, as madrileños began to dream of coastal towns and the scent of sunscreen.

João Félix’s return to training would typically occur in mid-July, as the sweltering heat peaked. By the end of the summer, there would be a frantic search for cut-price deals and free transfers, often leaving fans feeling underwhelmed as September rolled in.

But this summer has been different.

Le Normand, Sørloth, and Gallagher as a transfer package would have been exciting on their own. However, the pursuit of Álvarez—a marquee signing who has won it all and impressed even Pep Guardiola—elevates this summer’s transfer business to an entirely new level.

Julian Álvarez’s Role at Atlético Madrid

Where exactly does Julian Álvarez fit into Atlético Madrid’s evolving setup?

In recent friendlies, Atlético experimented with a 3-4-3 formation in possession, aligning with Simeone’s gradual shift toward a more dynamic, possession-based style.

After losing Lucas Hernández, Simeone struggled to find a left-back capable of both defending and attacking as effectively as the Frenchman. Eventually, he embraced a system with five at the back, utilizing attacking wing-backs. They now often play in a 5-3-2 formation, with Griezmann occasionally dropping into midfield to function as a fourth midfielder.

This setup can isolate the main striker and place a heavy burden on Griezmann to link play, create chances, and finish them, all while maintaining his defensive responsibilities.

Álvarez’s arrival allows Atlético to add another attacking option without sacrificing defensive stability. He’s versatile enough to play across the attacking midfield or lead the line upfront.

Not every player fits into Diego Simeone’s mold, and ‘Cholo’ won’t compromise defensive solidity just to field another attacker. Fortunately, Álvarez possesses the Griezmann-like qualities of being both highly skilled and exceptionally hardworking.

Álvarez is a triple threat: he can create, score, and fulfill his defensive duties—a rare combination. Many players signed by Atlético have ticked only one or two of these boxes and faltered under Simeone. Álvarez, however, is the complete package, and talents like him command significant transfer fees.

With Álvarez in the squad, alongside new signing Sørloth, who netted 23 goals last season, and Griezmann, Atlético could form one of Europe’s most formidable attacking trios.

It’s a bold and ambitious move by Atlético, but there’s still more work to be done.

The New Atlético Madrid: What to Expect

Atlético Madrid are on the verge of completing a major summer overhaul, signing a new center-back, midfielder, and two new strikers. Le Normand is expected to slot in at center-back alongside Axel Witsel, who logged the most minutes of any outfield player in La Liga last season. With the departures of Hermoso and Stefan Savic—last season’s second and third most-used center-backs—there’s a significant gap to fill. Hermoso, who was part of all four of Atlético’s most common center-back pairings, has yet to be replaced.

César Azpilicueta and José Giménez will compete for minutes, as will academy graduate Ilias Kostis, who has been tested at left center-back during preseason. Another defender is likely on the way, with Aymeric Laporte and Feyenoord’s Dávid Hancko linked as possible replacements for Hermoso.

Koke, now 32, has been the heartbeat of Atlético’s midfield for over a decade, organizing the press and dictating the tempo. However, in this revamped Atlético, he might find himself edged out by more dynamic players like Rodrigo de Paul, Barrios, Gallagher, and the returning Thomas Lemar. While no one controls the game like Koke, Simeone’s preference for a double pivot in the 3-4-3 formation should help him maintain his influence.

The wing-backs are expected to be Samuel Lino, who is poised for a breakout season, and Marcos Llorente, who has taken over from Nahuel Molina on the right side.

In attack, Griezmann, Sørloth, and Álvarez are likely to be the preferred trio, depending on the opposition and match requirements. This gives Simeone options he didn’t previously have and an attacking threat that’s truly exciting.

When Atlético last won the league in the pandemic-affected 2020-21 season, they started with a 6-1 thrashing of Granada, with new signing Luis Suárez coming off the bench to score twice. Although there were 37 more matches to play, something felt different from the very start of that season.

This season, we have yet to see Atlético take the field—they’ll kick off on Monday, August 19, against Villarreal in La Liga—but there’s already a palpable sense that something is different.

Atlético are showing ambition, focusing on youth this summer and making significant changes—out with the old, in with the new. Perhaps most importantly, there seems to be a realization that they couldn’t remain in purgatory forever.

It might not work, but if it does, we could be on the brink of witnessing something spectacular.