Atletico Madrid are now closer than ever to signing Cristian Romero after raising the funds and salary-cap space required for a move through three departures completed in the space of four days.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, sporting director Mateo Alemany has led a fast-moving plan to finance Atletico’s recruitment drive. The club’s main defensive target is Argentina international Romero, who is regarded as a top priority for the squad.
The latest breakthrough came after Matteo Ruggeri completed his move to Aston Villa, Nahuel Molina joined Roma and Atletico reached a final agreement for Thiago Almada to transfer to River Plate.
Almada’s move was concluded after several weeks of negotiations between River Plate and Brazilian club Flamengo. River Plate will pay approximately 20m euros for the Argentina international, allowing him to resume his career in his home country.
The player had been due to report for Argentina’s training camp at the Cerro training centre next Monday. However, he is cutting short his holiday in Ibiza and travelling to Buenos Aires to complete the formalities of the transfer.
The three deals have significantly improved Atletico’s financial position. Almada’s sale is expected to bring in 20m euros, which will be added to the 18m euros guaranteed from Ruggeri’s transfer, plus a possible further 6m euros in add-ons.
Molina’s move to Roma is worth 19m euros in total, including 13m euros in guaranteed payments. Taken together, the deals give Atletico the resources to make an opening offer to Tottenham for Romero.
That proposal is expected to be worth 30m euros. Romero is waiting for the transfer to be resolved, while there is cautious optimism within Atletico that an agreement can be reached successfully.
However, Alemany’s wider recruitment plan is not yet complete. Atletico still need to strengthen several areas of the squad following the departures of Antoine Griezmann, Almada and Nico Gonzalez. So far, the club’s only incoming signing has been Kang-in Lee.
Further business is dependent on Atletico’s “one out, one in” policy. Nico Gonzalez’s arrival is linked to another player leaving first, while the signing of an additional striker would require at least two more departures.
Jose Maria Gimenez, Thomas Lemar and Carlos Martin are among the players who could leave. Atletico are also expecting income from the sales of academy players.
Those departures follow the exits of Jano Monserrate, Julio Diaz, Kostis and Murchio. Until those situations are settled, the club’s two remaining recruitment moves will remain on hold.
The sale of Almada has nevertheless provided the immediate financial breakthrough Atletico needed. With money and salary-cap room now available, the club can turn its attention to Tottenham and begin formal efforts to bring Romero to Madrid.
