Atlético Madrid End-of-Season Loan Report

Borja Bastón, FW, Eibar

Hard to start anywhere else but here. The 23-year-old, on a fifth successive loan spell, notched 18 goals in 36 appearances for Eibar in 2015-16. He was named La Liga's Player of the Month back in October and only Athletic Club's Aritz Aduriz scored more goals (20) among Spanish-born players. Borja's finishing was crucial in securing Eibar's top-flight status for a third consecutive season; the Basque side finished 14th but were in the top half of the table for more than 30 weeks. It remains unknown if Atlético will give Borja a chance in the first team next season, but his success has forced Atleti possibly into this decision: give him a shot with his childhood club or capitalize on his form and sell.

Javier Manquillo, RB, Marseille

After a difficult spell at Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool in 2014-15, Manquillo moved to France and plied his trade at Marseille this season. Still just 22 years old (he feels a lot older), he became a regular for the Coupe de France finalists; the canterano made 31 appearances and notched an assist in a 1-1 draw vs. Nantes on April 24. Manquillo's string of good performances in 2016 after a somewhat inconsistent 2015 may not be enough to convince Diego Simeone that he should be given a place in the 2016-17 side and this uncertainty reportedly has generated suitors in France and Italy.

Leo Baptistão, FW, Villarreal

Sent on loan as part of the deal that brought Luciano Vietto to the Vicente Calderón and Villarreal somehow won that deal. Baptistão scored only three goals in the league this season and virtually disappeared after missing two months to injury at the end of 2015. However, one of his goals was the winner in a 1-0 decision at El Madrigal on September 26...against his parent club. Villarreal have an option to buy the 23-year-old Brazilian; I'm not convinced it will be exercised.

Alessio Cerci, FW, Milan/Genoa

Originally sent back to Italy on an 18-month loan as part of the deal that brought Fernando Torres back to Atlético, Milan got so tired of Cerci underperforming that he was sent to Genoa on a separate loan deal in January. He actually played well in Liguria, as he registered four goals and an assist to help Genoa achieve an 11th place finish. Cerci's loan deal is up this summer but the 28-year-old will stay in Italy in light of the disastrous four months he spent in Madrid in 2014.

Guilherme Siqueira, LB, Valencia

Deemed surplus to requirements with Filipe Luís' return/sparkling form and moved to Valencia on an 18-month loan in January. The 30-year-old made 14 appearances and played a key role in Valencia's 2-1 win at Barcelona in April, but failed to arrest his new team's alarming drop down the table.

Emiliano Velázquez, CB and Bernard Mensah, CM, Getafe

Velázquez and Mensah had the ignominy of featuring for a relegated side AND playing only 20 games between them. The former made 12 appearances for the Madrid side but did not play after March 18 due to injury; his absence definitely damaged Getafe's chances at staying up. When he played, the 22-year-old displayed great defensive prowess with burgeoning aerial abilities, as well as an eye for goal (he scored three goals in 2015-16). He will likely be loaned to another top-flight side for 2016-17 as he continues his development. However, Mensah was a big disappointment after coming as a highly-rated prospect from Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal. The 21-year-old was limited to eight scattered substitute appearances and logged only 53 minutes in league play.

Rafael Santos Borré, FW, Deportivo Cali

Santos Borré signed last summer but loaned back to the Colombian side for 2015-16. Just 20 years old, he missed a decent chunk of 2016 with an injury but has returned to help his team into a Torneo Apertura qualification position (currently eighth in the table; the top eight qualify in the Colombian league). The season ends next week.

Silvio, RB/LB, Benfica

Spent a third consecutive season on loan at the Portuguese champions. Made 14 appearances across five competitions and won two trophies. Not bad for the 28-year-old.

André Moreira, GK, União de Madeira

The 20-year-old made 19 appearances for C.F. União. Team finished 17th and suffered relegation.

Yassine Bounou, GK, Zaragoza

Bono is in his second spell on loan at the Segunda side and the 25-year-old has made 19 league appearances this season. Zaragoza currently sit fifth and in a promotion playoff spot after losing the final to Las Palmas last season.