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SB Nation    •   22 min read

Transfer bulletin: Almada arrives, Cardoso’s first words, center-back options thinning

WHAT'S THE STORY?

It's all systems go at the Estadio Metropolitano as Atlético Madrid's transfer window just took a step toward overdrive.

The official announcement of Johnny Cardoso may have been long-overdue, but nonetheless kick-started what has been by far the busiest week of rojiblanco business we have seen this summer.

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“I’m really excited to join such a great team,” Cardoso said via the club’s official channels. “Working with Simeone is a dream, it’s a privilege

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to have this opportunity to learn and grow.”

Here is all you need to know from a hectic week of incomings, outgoings, rumours and sagas.

Almada becomes sixth signing

A World Cup winner and Copa América champion who has always wanted to play for Atleti: Thiago Almada might have the perfect profile of a new player.

The logic to signing him may be simple, but the process to do so has been anything but. Atlético had to reach an agreement with Eagle Football Group (owners of Botafogo and Lyon) to buy 50% of Almada's rights for €21 million. An additional amount is due to EFG if Atleti do not sell the player in the next three years.

Having impressed in MLS for Atlanta United, the attacking midfielder was sold to the Eagle group, initially going to Brazil to play for Botafogo. He has played in Ligue 1 for Lyon since January of this year, scoring one goal in 16 league appearances. His talents have had him tipped to be "the next Riquelme", and judging by this free kick he scored a couple years ago, those predictions may not be too far off.

De Paul deal hits problems

It all seemed set for Rodrigo De Paul to join his bestie Lionel Messi at Inter Miami on a reported four-year deal. However, on Thursday, news emerged that the move is likely to be an initial loan, with Miami having an option to buy next year for around €15 million.

It seems De Paul has agreed personal terms with the MLS side, but he won't be officially on their books from the off, due to the league’s complicated “designated player” rules.

In short, Inter Miami plan to make De Paul a designated player next year, but one of the Herons’ current DPs — likely Sergio Busquets or old friend Luis Suárez — will have to leave or retire first before the transfer can become permanent.

Areso in, Molina out?

CA Osasuna's Jesus Areso has been training alone the past couple of days amid his imminent departure from the club. Except he hasn't known which red and white striped team he would be joining.

What once seemed a done deal for Areso to join Athletic Club is now anything but. According to Ángel García (a journalist with a special interest in transfers), Atlético Madrid have won the battle with Athletic to sign the right-back for five seasons, and that it could be made official next week.

Reports from earlier in the day indicated that for the deal to happen, current full-back Nahuel Molina would have to depart. According to El Desmarque, Atleti have offered the Argentine to Villarreal CF; Molina also has received interest from AS Roma, Juventus, and Lazio in Serie A.

Who's foreign here?

Molina's departure could solve a current issue that seems to have everyone scratching their heads.

By LaLiga rules, each team can only have three players from outside of the European Union. Many who represent countries outside of the EU are registered in the league with a passport from within.

According to Rubén Uría, Atleti currently have four "extracomunitarios" following Almada's signing: Molina, Conor Gallagher, and Samu Lino are the others — although some have pointed out that Almada actually has an Italian passport and that Gallagher qualifies as Irish through his grandparents.

Whoever is right and whatever the genuine situation is, should Molina leave, the problem would be solved — for now, anyway.

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We know now that Cristian Romero is unlikely to come to Madrid, but his arrival could shake things up again as he would also fall into this category of player. This is obviously something that Atlético need to solve, and quickly at that.

Lookman looked on...for a moment

Perhaps the most surprising moment of the week was the news that despite Almada joining the club, the pursuit for winger Ademola Lookman wasn't necessarily off.

Lookman’s current club, Atalanta BC, have a €40 million asking price for clubs located outside of Italy, with €10 million more for those within the country.

It seemed Atlético were Atalanta's favoured buyers, but on Thursday, Inter Milan entered the race to sign the Nigeria international. Since then, Lookman has allegedly made it clear that he prefers to remain in Italy and join the Nerazzurri.

Moldovan heading north

To be honest, I wasn't aware he was still on the club's books, either. But as of Friday, Horațiu Moldovan has left Atleti to join LaLiga new boys Real Oviedo on loan.

Although he is yet to make his debut in red and white, the goalkeeper spent all of last season on loan at Sassuolo, helping them gain promotion from Serie B.

The Romania international will be a needed boost for Oviedo, who are playing in the first division for the first time in 24 years following their fairytale promotion.

Deadwood shifting

According to Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik, Trabzonspor of the Süperlig have reached an agreement with Atlético for the singing of Saúl Ñíguez.

The official announcement could come next week, on what is expected to be a 3-year-deal. Saúl would terminate his contract at the Metropolitano, putting a definite end to his 17-year-affiliation with the club.

David Medina of Marca has indicated another player who has lost their way at Atlético could be making his leave this summer. He says that Thomas Lemar is being actively shifted from the squad, with a loan move to Lyon one of the possibilities.

The World Cup winner has been at the Metropolitano since 2018 following his jaw-dropping €72 million signing from AS Monaco. It's fair to say Lemar has failed to pay back his transfer sum, despite playing a somewhat-prominent role in the 2020/21 title-winning campaign.

CB options dwindling

David Hancko: the one who got away (again). The long-time personal target of Diego Simeone has signed for Saudi club Al Nassr according to Fabrizio Romano. This has further thinned the options of who Atlético can now sign at center-back.

Another target, Piero Hincapié, has allegedly been offered to city rivals Real Madrid, which would be an ever bigger blow.

Even the cheaper options are seemingly not possible anymore, with former player Santiago Mouriño reportedly not to Simeone's liking. The Uruguayan was available on a cheap buyback clause this summer, but no longer appears to be on the cards.

Academy news

There has been significant movement among the lower tiers of the club's structure as well this week, with three important B team players taking a step (or two) up in their respective careers.

Goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe has been an Atlético Madrid player since he was five years old, but this week has signed for LaLiga team Elche CF. Diario AS reported that the Olympic Champion had six offers from the second division, but was unable to say no to the opportunity to play in the top tier.

Atleti will retain 50% of his future sale.

Adrián Niño had been at Atleti since 2020 and even made his first team debut last season. However, the boy will now play for second division side Malaga CF, signing until 2029. Niño was announced on the Andalucian club's social media with a drawing of the striker looked to have been done by his namesake.

The third of the Atlético B players to depart was Diego Bri, who has played nearly 100 times for the team. He will go to LaLiga 2 team Córdoba CF on a year's loan to further his footballing development.

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