Atlético Madrid in a Financial Fair Play Squeeze: Sales Needed to Register New Signings

Atlético Madrid have spent big this summer, bringing in Kang-in Lee from PSG, Morten Hjulmand from Sporting Lisbon, and Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen for a combined fee of over €80 million. Now, to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play rules and register their new arrivals, the Rojiblancos need to sell players for a similar amount. Of the four players earmarked for departure, only one deal has shown real progress. River Plate have tabled €20 million for 50% of the economic rights of Argentine forward Thiago Almada, with the transfer expected to go through after the 2026 World Cup. The other three sales have stalled. Alexander Sørloth attracted interest from Juventus, but negotiations have gone nowhere, and offers to Premier League clubs have gone unanswered. Matteo Ruggeri is also on Juventus’ radar, but the Serie A side need to settle Andrea Cambiaso’s future first. Meanwhile, no club has even inquired about José María Giménez, and Atlético are not expecting a big fee from his departure. Barcelona are watching the situation closely and have already made an offer for Argentine striker Julián Álvarez — a bid that would more than cover everything Atlético have spent this window. The Catalan club is now waiting for a response from their Madrid rivals.