Last week, we saw Atlético Madrid's transfer window burst into life following the arrivals of Johnny Cardoso and Thiago Almada.
This week, sporting director Carlos Bucero has sent his operation into overdrive: more new signings, more exits, more rumours.
Away from the boardroom, the team have began pre-season in their usual location of Los Ángeles de San Rafael (located roughly 70km from Madrid) with new formations already being tried by manager Diego Simeone.
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) July 21, 2025
Here is Into
the Calderón's weekly transfer bulletin with everything you need to know.
Center-back saga
Tuesday saw the versatile Renato Veiga of Chelsea FC become a priority target for Atlético, with talks taking place the following day.
All looked to be progressing nicely, with fans excited to welcome a player who can play at center-back, left-back and as a defensive midfielder as well. A €40 million package was being negotiated.
But things took an unexpected turn later on Wednesday.
BREAKING: The Renato Veiga to Atlético Madrid operation is now on HOLD!
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) July 23, 2025
[ ️: @MatteMoretto] pic.twitter.com/jsY6BlRXLC
In a shock turn of events, David Hancko is now no longer the one that got away. After his move to Al Nassr fell through at the last hurdler, Atleti swooped in to acquire the services of the center-back that Simeone has admired for some time.
Fabrizio Romano reported on X that Atlético agreed a €30 million fixed fee plus add-ons with Feyenoord; however, Rubén Uría has stated that the fixed figure is in fact €26 million, with the total package being worth €30 million.
The official announcement from the club came just a day later, with a five-year contract signed and media pictures taken to enable the Slovakian to join the rest of his teammates in pre-season training camp.
The context behind this photo: Hancko and Simeone already knew each other from when Giovanni [Simeone] and David played together at Fiorentina, and during a visit from Cholo to his son, the Slovak asked to take a photo with him.
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) July 24, 2025
[@rubenuria via @la_colchoneria] https://t.co/uah9lVfYKc
Pubill, not Areso
Hancko was not the only player that Bucero has acted fast to sign this week.
Marc Pubill signed as the club's new right-back in a matter of hours on Tuesday. This came about due to collapse of the Jesús Areso deal, following his final decision to go to Athletic Bilbao instead.
While talks with Almería were already open regarding Pubill, Atleti acted swiftly to ensure the 22-year-old Olympic champion came to the Metropolitano before heading to AC Milan or Wolves. Fabrizio Romano reported a €20 million package was agreed, with Almería retaining a 15 percent future sell-on fee.
L’Equipe pip Millot
One item on the Atleti shopping list yet to be picked up is the “regateador” (dribbler). At one stage, Ademola Lookman was mentioned, but he has made his intentions clear to play for Inter Milan.
Although not an out-and-out winger, Enzo Millot was picked up in French and Spanish media on Thursday as a potential winger/midfielder that could play a variety of roles in the team.
David Medina of Marca relayed information in French sports paper L’Equipe that Millot as on Atlético’s radar — and with a release clause of just €20 million, the 23-year-old could be a sensible signing.
Midfield departures
Saúl Ñíguez ended his 17 year-association with Atlético de Madrid after he (eventually) flew to Rio de Janeiro to sign for Filipe Luis' Flamengo.
The club legend was set to go to Trabzonspor before making a U-turn just hours before boarding a flight to Turkey, citing "personal reasons".
The Spaniard was shortly heading the other way around the globe, and landed in Rio to a crowd of fans celebrating his arrival.
According to Rubén Uría, Saúl lost out on significant money to terminate his contract with Atleti, which was set to expire next year. You can read Saúl's open letter to all Rojiblancos around the world here.
Saúl finaliza su vinculación con nuestro club y se despide como el noveno jugador que más veces ha vestido la rojiblanca.
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) July 23, 2025
➡️ https://t.co/sUz5ASmxh9
Mucha suerte en tu próximo reto profesional. ¡El Atleti siempre será tu casa! pic.twitter.com/qVralxjiuD
Elsewhere, Rodrigo De Paul has all but left Madrid, pending an official announcement. Romano has given us a "here we go" on X and De Paul is not present at pre-season training, yet nothing has been formally communicated by Atleti nor his new club, Inter Miami.
It seems a loan move is not on the cards, as it once appeared, meaning Atlético will receive a €15 million fee for the World Cup-winning midfielder this summer.
Lino, Molina next on the exit ramp
Saúl could be joined very shortly by another Atlético Madrid player heading toward the squad fringes.
Samu Lino is reportedly very close to signing for Flamengo — and for what would be a welcomed fee. Matteo Moretto and ESPN’s Rodrigo Faez, along with a number of Brazilian journalists, say with certainty that the Brazilian winger is heading home for a fee of €25 million, adding more important income into Atleti's bank. However, Medina in Marca has said that Napoli are also attentive to the situation.
Lino's departure would ensure the club won't have too many "extracomunitarios" (players from outside of the EU) which would allow the registration of Almada with LaLiga.
Another player currently occupying one of the three allocated non-European spots is Nahuel Molina. Italian side Juventus and English side Nottingham Forest have made the Argentine a target, with Atleti sticking a €25-30 million price tag on the Argentine according to Diario AS.
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Photo by Dave Bernal/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty ImagesRemarkably, this could open the door to the signing of Juventus players such as Nicolás González, the USMNT's Weston McKennie and even Dušan Vlahovic, who has had strong links to the Metropolitano in the past.
Molina faces a season of being third in the right-back pecking order should he not leave, considering Marcos Llorente's prowess in the position and Pubill’s arrival this week.
ÚLTIMA HORA: La Juventus y el Atlético de Madrid consideran un intercambio entre Nahuel Molina y Dušan Vlahović.
— Objetivo.atletico (@Objetivoatleti) July 23, 2025
[@Gazzetta_it vía @MatthijsPog] pic.twitter.com/tNstHt7CVx
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