MADRID (AP) — It had been a quiet switch window for Atlético Madrid.
The Spanish membership didn’t plan on making any massive signings or promoting any of its prime gamers from final season. In any case, it had simply gone by one in every of its largest revamps beneath coach Diego Simeone following the departure of key gamers equivalent to Antoine Griezmann, Diego Godín and Filipe Luis.
Following a transitional 12 months with a collection of recent gamers, together with Portuguese ahead João Félix, Simeone had his squad set and was celebrating the chance to enter the brand new season with out main squad modifications.
Then Luis Suárez abruptly turned accessible, and Atlético didn’t waste any time going after the gifted striker who thrived with Barcelona however was not needed by incoming coach Ronald Koeman.
There was nothing official introduced by the golf equipment but, however Spanish media stated Atlético was near including the Uruguayan to its squad. The holdup was with Barcelona, which was reportedly making issues tough as a result of it didn’t need Suárez to affix one in every of its largest rivals domestically.
Atlético didn’t look like within the operating to signal Suárez when Koeman instructed the striker he was not in his plans final month. Suárez appeared set to affix Juventus in Italy, and had even taken a take a look at to obtain a European passport that might assist him full the transfer.
However new developments have labored in Atlético’s favor in current days, as Juventus reportedly gave up on the take care of Suárez as a result of the passport course of would take too lengthy. Additionally, Italian authorities stated they had been investigating whether or not Suárez was illegally helped to pass the Italian language exam that was a requirement for him to obtain the passport.
With Suárez not in its plans anymore, Juventus needed to search for one other ahead, and the one it needed was Atlético’s Álvaro Morata, who reportedly already underwent a medical to affix the Italian champions.
Morata’s eventual departure would clear house in Atlético’s finances to herald Suárez, a participant typically praised by Simeone and who carries that very same hard-working, never-give-up perspective because the Argentine coach.
Suárez would slot in properly on Atlético’s squad, which might be left with Diego Costa as its important striker if the Morata take care of Juventus was confirmed. Suárez scored 21 targets for Barcelona final season, the identical quantity as Costa (5) and Morata (16) mixed for Atlético. Félix, who arrived to switch Griezmann, has but to satisfy expectations and had solely 9 targets in his debut season.
Many in Spain stated the deal to signal Suárez was all however accomplished, as he had reached an settlement to finish his contract with Barcelona and will depart free of charge. However Barcelona reportedly backtracked and stated the deal has but to be finalized. The Mundo Deportivo each day stated Barcelona on the final minute included Atlético on the record of groups to which Suárez couldn’t depart free of charge, together with others equivalent to Actual Madrid, Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool.
With or with out Suárez, Atlético will make its Spanish league debut on Sunday towards Granada on the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Atlético’s first two video games had been postponed as a result of it performed late into final season within the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Barcelona and Europa League champion Sevilla additionally had their first two video games postponed.
Atlético’s morning follow session on Tuesday was canceled as a result of the membership couldn’t get all of the take a look at outcomes for COVID-19 again in time.
