Atletico Madrid look set to continue rebuilding their squad this summer, their first under new sporting director Mateu Alemany. Their backline looks likely to be in line for another major surgery this summer following the arrivals of David Hanko, Mark Purbier and Matteo Ruggieri.
According to Radio Marca , Los Colchoneros are already looking at options to replace some of their current defenders. They are currently tracking the progress of Palmeiras right-back Agustin Guia, who they have monitored for a few years and who could replace Nahuel Molina, one of three defenders Atletico could sanction an exit from.
advertise
Atletico Madrid will listen to offers for three defenders
Mateo Moreto explains that Atletico Madrid will consider the departures of Molina, Clement Lenglet and José María Gimenez this summer. The former has struggled to live up to expectations since his €20m move from Udinese, with Marcos Llorente remaining first choice at right-back. Molina has offered to leave.
Image via Chema Diaz/Diario AS
As for Jimenez, it is reported that Atletico Madrid has agreed that the Uruguayan will leave after the World Cup, with both parties hoping for a new start. Argentina and Italy are both interested in him. Meanwhile, Lenglet signed a three-year contract on a free transfer from Barcelona last summer, but with the arrival of Hanke and the emergence of Pubil, the Frenchman’s playing time has been significantly reduced.
advertise
Molina discusses form struggle
Molina, 27, is in his fourth season at Atletico Madrid but will enter the final year of his contract next season. It would be no surprise if Los Rojiblancos decide to try and cash in on Molina before he walks away for free. The World Cup winner explained that it took him some time to adjust to life in Madrid due to his international success.
“We never looked back, one year we won the Copa America, then the final, became champions again, then we won the qualifiers from start to finish and beat everyone. Then came the World Cup and another Copa America. You can say that for a while I was a little frustrated because in the end, I didn’t like it, processing all this information. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have,” he told “Agusneta y Leo” as quoted by DElia by Marca.
advertise
“It’s not a lack of ambition. It’s the vertigo. The rush of success, the travel, the exposure, the constant pressure. The feeling of everything happening so fast. Today I enjoy it more. Today I enjoy it more when I think about it, watch videos or just chat with anyone.”
