Javi Galán’s proposed transfer from Atlético Madrid to Nottingham Forest has fallen through, according to multiple reports Monday night. The left-back is set to stay in Spain in what is an embarrassing end to the summer transfer window for Atlético.
Though the Rojiblancos confirmed Nicolás González’s arrival from Juventus earlier on Monday,
Atlético wanted to sell a player from the current squad in a corresponding move — ostensibly, in order to remain compliant with LaLiga’s financial rules after a €176 million outlay on eight signings.
The “chosen” player to leave was Galán, who has fallen to third-choice in the pecking order at left-back. Dávid Hancko, already the first-choice left center-back, slid over to left-back for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Alavés, with fellow new signing Matteo Ruggeri ultimately replacing him after 71 minutes.
Galán’s contract expires in 2026, and through three rounds of LaLiga, the Extremaduran played 16 minutes, entering as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 home draw against Elche. Atlético reportedly had agreed a fee between €10 million and €15 million with Nottingham Forest, which also held an interest in signing Nahuel Molina earlier this summer.
Negotiations led by Miguel Ángel Gil and Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis accelerated Monday before the transfer window slammed shut in England, and Galán had agreed a three-year contract to play for the Tricky Trees. But the clubs could not sign all the necessary documents in time, meaning Galán will stay put this season, barring one more twist to the tale.
Galán is not a bad player by any means, and Simeone found a use for him last year when the team reverted to a 4-4-2 shape — indeed, Galán was a starter against FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in the second half of the season. But it does not seem as if El Cholo wants to play with the same shape again this season, and the whole point of investing in Hancko, Ruggeri, and Nico (who can play as a left wing-back) was to move on Galán — who isn’t good enough for elite competition — before his contract expires and the club loses him for nothing.
Simeone is not counting on Galán, Molina, or young winger Carlos Martín, who have combined to play 32 minutes so far. Yet, all three players will stay in the squad, at least until January. Subtract those three and backup goalkeeper Juan Musso, and El Cholo is left with a squad of 20 outfield players to compete across four fronts in 2025/26. That isn’t even including Antoine Griezmann and Giacomo Raspadori, who do not look like they will challenge the starters. Nor does it include Marc Pubill, the right-back turned center-back who has played zero competitive minutes since his July move from Almería.
It just goes to show that at the end of the day — for all the money spent, for all of Gil’s bravado, for the stability brought about by annual Champions League participation — you truly never know what Club Atlético de Madrid’s board will improvise next.
