With the transfer window now done and dusted, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the business conducted by Atletico Madrid this summer.
While Atletico Madrid did a solid job in cup competitions, they were never really in the race for the 2025/26 La Liga title. As a result, major changes were expected heading into the summer transfer window, and they have certainly delivered.
They entered the summer transfer window with a clear objective: turn consistency into genuine title contention. The squad that had served Diego Simeone well was experienced and battle-hardened, yet it lacked the final layer of quality required to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid at the very top.
The board and the coaching staff knew that smart additions, coupled with careful exits, could push the team over the line.
Refreshing the core without losing identity
The departures were significant, headlined by Antoine Griezmann’s exit as a free agent. The Frenchman leaves as Atletico Madrid’s all-time leading scorer, a player who redefined the attacking role within Diego Simeone’s system and became the emotional pivot of the side for over a decade.
Matteo Ruggeri, Thiago Almada, Nahuel Molina, and Julio Diaz were also moved on as part of a wider squad refresh. Several high-profile names were loaned out to ease wage pressure and create space. Jose Maria Gimenez, Thomas Lemar, and Clement Lenglet departed on temporary deals, while Horatiu Moldovan was sent out to gain experience elsewhere.
These moves allowed the club to redirect resources towards targeted arrivals without bloating the wage bill. In came a more balanced, experienced group. Cristian Romero arrived from Tottenham to lead the defence, while Alejandro Grimaldo joined from Bayer Leverkusen to solve the left-back issue.
Morten Hjulmand was signed to add control in midfield, and Lee Kang-in brought creativity and an X-factor in attack. Jonathan David completed a loan move from Lille to provide striking options amidst Julian Alvarez’s complicated situation and Alexander Sorloth’s injury concerns.
Marquee Signing
Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero is the statement arrival of Atletico Madrid’s summer. The Argentina international and World Cup winner joins from Tottenham after five seasons in North London, where he made 156 appearances and scored 13 times.
His aggression, aerial dominance, and leadership address a long-standing need in Atletico Madrid’s backline, especially with Jose Maria Gimenez loaned out and the defence requiring a vocal organiser.
Diego Simeone has spoken about how Romero fits his system, noting the defender’s intensity, reading of the game and capacity to raise the level of those around him. In a squad transitioning after Antoine Griezmann’s exit, Romero offers stability and a higher ceiling in the biggest fixtures. His arrival also signals Atletico’s ambition to remain competitive at the highest level, despite the departure of several experienced figures.
Value for Money Signing
Alejandro Grimaldo
Alejandro Grimaldo’s arrival represents excellent value. The Valencia-born left-back joined from Bayer Leverkusen for €15 million guaranteed, with an additional €8 million in performance-related bonuses. At 30, he brings experience, tactical intelligence, and an understanding of Spanish football, having previously played for Barcelona’s youth teams.
His ability to overlap, deliver quality crosses and defend one-on-one situations makes him the perfect fit for Simeone’s style of football. Grimaldo’s deal had become a priority after missing out on Marc Cucurella, who completed a move to Real Madrid instead.
Inevitable Departure
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann’s exit was always going to be emotional, but it was time for Atletico Madrid to move on. The veteran French forward had served the club with distinction across two spells, becoming Los Rojiblancos’ all-time top scorer and a two-time Champions League finalist with the team.
The Big Miss: None/Holding onto Julian Alvarez
Unlike many of their rivals, Atletico Madrid managed to retain their most valuable asset. Julian Alvarez’s future was the subject of intense speculation, with Barcelona and Arsenal both showing strong interest. The club’s board issued multiple statements ruling out any sale to Barcelona, and Diego Simeone remained firm.
Despite missing training sessions and facing pressure from supporters, the Argentine ultimately decided to stay, bringing an end to the summer’s most dramatic transfer saga. If Alvarez sorts out his differences and commits fully, Atletico Madrid could be serious challengers for all major titles. His retention is a major coup, especially given the interest from Europe’s elite.
Verdict: 8/10
This was a solid 8/10 transfer window. Atletico Madrid added quality players in Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo, Morten, Hjulmand, and Lee Kang-in, while also securing Jonathan David on loan to address striking concerns.
Crucially, they managed to hold on to Julian Alvarez despite all the drama surrounding his future. The squad now looks more balanced, experienced and capable of competing at the highest level. If Alvarez is fully involved and the new signings integrate quickly, Atletico Madrid could be genuine title contenders this season.
