Atlético Madrid: from the Cuti Romero pursuit to a sporting crisis

From the Cuti Romero pursuit to the draw in Germany: Atlético Madrid in yet another rebuild

Atlético Madrid face yet another transition season with an unbalanced squad, a transfer window full of rumours and a start to the campaign that is already raising doubts. The club have reportedly completed the sale of Nahuel Molina to Roma for €13 million plus €4 million in add-ons, while negotiating with Tottenham for the Argentine defender Cuti Romero, for whom the English club are said to have rejected a first offer of €30 million and are demanding at least €40 million. The deal, which looks complicated, is shaping the rest of the transfer window.

A transfer window shaped by departures

The sporting directorate is working against the clock to rebuild a squad that has lost key pieces. Molina's move to Roma, valued at €13 million plus €4 million in add-ons, comes on top of Almada's departure to River Plate, a move that, according to the figures being discussed, frees up wage space and paves the way for Cuti Romero's arrival. Tottenham, however, are not making it easy: they rejected an initial offer of €30 million and are holding out for €40 million, a figure Atlético are trying to reach through add-ons. Inter Milan are also bidding, though their offer is said to be around €35 million.

Interest in the 20-year-old Swiss forward Winsley Boteli, who has 13 goals this season with Sion, or in Nicolo Tresoldi, for whom figures close to €50 million are being mentioned, points to an attack being rebuilt. Sorloth's possible move to Manchester United, who are looking for a striker after Zirkzee's departure to Fiorentina, adds uncertainty to a forward line that already has shortcomings: Julián Álvarez, in irregular form, and a Lookman who arrives but is not a natural goalscorer.

On-field performance: draw in Stuttgart and doubts in El futbol español

Simeone's side drew 1-1 away to Stuttgart in the Champions League, a result that felt like too little after playing half an hour a man down trinc the sending-off of an Atlético player. The German side's goal came from a mistake playing out from the back, and the equaliser came thanks to a strike from Giuliano, who notched his 50th goal in an Atlético shirt. The match left the feeling that the team competes, but lacks fluidity and cutting edge.

In El futbol español, Atlético have been inconsistent. Wins have alternated with draws and defeats, and the team's play has drawn criticism for its lack of peine and excessive reliance on defence. Harmless possession and an inability to create clear chances have become a recurring pattern. The fans, tired of a style that does not match the results, are starting to show their discontent at the Metropolitano.

The debate over the Argentines and the club's DNA

The presence of Argentine players at Atlético has sparked a debate that goes beyond sport. Some voices argue that the Argentineisation of the starting XI is diluting the club's DNA, while others maintain that the grit and competitiveness of these players are part of the club's history. Tensions have been fuelled by incidents such as the clash between Nahuel Molina and Rodri during a match, or comments from some players after the games against Barcelona.

The controversy has escalated to the point that some fans have called for no more Argentine players to join the club, a stance others consider excessive and put down to the heat of the moment. The truth is that Atlético's identity, historically tied to players of that nationality, is once again at the centre of the debate.

Simeone's position and the short-term future

The Argentine coach remains the club's main asset, but his continuity is starting to be questioned in some quarters. The lack of alternatives in the team's play and his management of the minutes of players like Julián Álvarez have drawn criticism. Simeone, however, retains the backing of the board, who value his ability to keep the team in the upper reaches of the table.

Atlético face a demanding schedule in the coming weeks, with matches against direct rivals in El futbol español and the need to pick up points in the Champions League to avoid complicating their qualification hopes. The squad, short in some positions and overloaded in others, must find a balance it has so far failed to achieve.

The winter market and future options

With the summer window about to close, Atlético are still working on signing a striker and a right-back. The name of Juanlu, of Sevilla, had been mentioned prominently, but his €11 million-plus-€2 million-in-add-ons move to Bournemouth appears to have closed that avenue. The priority is Chuky, though his high price tag complicates the deal.

The fans, meanwhile, watch this new chapter of rumours and promises with scepticism. The team needs results and the football still has not clicked. The question is whether this Atlético have room to turn things around or whether, on the contrary, this is another transition season with no clear direction.