Atlético know they have a serious goal problem. The scoring figures were alarming despite ending up achieving the league goal and certifying the presence in the next Champions as third thanks to the final arreón after the break. If Atlético finished on the podium, it was not due to the success of their points, where Morata finished as the top finisher in the competition with 12 goals, the lowest statistic of a rojiblanco benchmark in the league since 1999.
But getting a scorer in this transfer market is a highly difficult task. The crisis caused by the coronavirus also significantly affects football and Atlético's economic resources to face new incorporations are scarce. Miguel Ángel Gil has already announced that “the idea is to make 3 or 4 changes to the template at most. Only players whose investment does not exceed 25% of the amount we enter from player sales or savings from current player exits can only arrive. ” One of those signings is that of Ivo Grbic for the goal. Another is expected in the center of the field and one at the attack point.
The future of Costa marks the planning
Morata and Diego Costa have not experienced a good course in front of the door and if the former has scored 16 goals in all competitions, the second has finished with five. The Saponjic variant has had a residual role and now Atlético is combing the market in search of a forward who can be an alternative to their two 'nines' or who will replace one of them. Costa is not sure of its continuity, He has only one year left on his contract and it is one of the highest salaries in the workforce.
In this case, his departure would allow new hires, where Cavani's name appears again. With the Uruguayan it would be practically a change of cards: a 33-year-old player to replace a 31-year-old with another very high salary, but without the need to negotiate a transfer, since he is without a team. Curiously, Benfica had become the great candidate to sign Cavani, but his high economic pretensions have ruled him out and the Portuguese they have a plan B on the coast. In other alternatives with lower salary aspirations, Atlético has great difficulty in reaching an agreement with the home club.
In the case of Milik, the pretensions of Naples have been decreasing notably, but even so they are unattainable for Atlético and there is no agreement for the exchange of players. For Lacazette, I wish for years, the rojiblanco club could offer Lemar, but Arsenal have their interest in Thomas, an untouchable for Cholo. Another that has been on the agenda for a long time is Rodrigo and Valencia need to sell. But his season with only seven goals and his position further away from the area changes the style.
There are other forwards with a lower profile but who have performed well and are on the agenda as Luis Suárez, who scored 19 goals in his loan from Watford to Zaragoza or Chimy Ávila with his 11 goals in Osasuna before being seriously injured in January. An inexpensive bobbin lace to be able balance the accounts both in the salary space and in the case of having to pay transfer. The option of incorporating a player on loan, as happened with Carrasco in January (for example, in the same Chinese league there are players like Bakambu) is also on the table. What Atlético is also clear about is that his important effort will come if there is a player who can improve the presentIf not, the lead will stay as it is.