Atletico Madrid look set to continue rebuilding their squad this summer, their first under new Sporting Director Mateu Alemany. It seems their backline could be in for major surgery again this summer, after the arrivals of David Hancko, Marc Pubill and Matteo Ruggeri this year.
Los Colchoneros are already looking for options to replace some of their current defenders, according to RadioMarca. They are currently tracking the progress of Palmeiras right-back Agustin Giay, who they have been following for several years, who could be a replacement for Nahuel Molina, one of three defenders that Atletico may sanction exits for.
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Atletico Madrid will listen to offers for three defenders
Matteo Moretto explains that Atletico will consider departures for Molina, Clement Lenglet and Jose Maria Gimenez this summer. The former has struggled to meet expectations since his €20m move from Udinese, and Marcos Llorente remains the first-choice at right-back. Molina already has offers on the table to leave.
Image via Chema Diaz / Diario AS
With regard to Gimenez, it has been reported that Atletico have agreed a departure for the Uruguayan after the World Cup, with both sides desiring a new start. He has received interest from Argentina and Italy. Meanwhile Lenglet arrived on a three-year contract last summer on a free from Barcelona, but the Frenchman has seen his game time drop significantly with the arrival of Hancko and the emergence of Pubill.
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Molina discusses form struggles
Molina, 27, is in his fourth season at Atletico Madrid, but will be into the final year of his deal next season. It would be no surprise if Los Rojiblancos decided to try and cash in on Molina before he walks for free. The World Cup-winner explained that it took him some time to adapt to life in Madrid due to his international success.
“We never look back, and there was a year when we won the Copa America, then the Finalissima and were champions again, then we won the qualifiers from start to finish and beat everyone. Then the World Cup and another Copa America. There was a time when I was kind of down, so to speak, because in the end, I didn’t enjoy it, processing all that information. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have at that moment,” he told ‘Agusneta y Leo DElia’, as quoted by Marca.
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“It wasn’t a lack of ambition. It was vertigo. The string of successes, the travel, the exposure, the constant pressure. The feeling that everything was happening too fast. Today I enjoy it much more. Today, when I think about it, watch videos, or just chat with anyone, I enjoy it so much more.”