Javier Manquillo joins Sunderland as Atletico’s clearout begins

Javier Manquillo’s future lies away from the Vicente Calderon. He has been loaned out to three clubs now and Atletico might finally have a club willing to take up the option on buying him once the one-year loan deal is finished.

He signed for Sunderland today after a very good spell at Marseille last season. That was preceded by one year on loan at Liverpool that was meant to be two years but cut short by then-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Atletico signed Sime Vrsaljko during the summer and the 24-year-old seems a more polished and consistent player than the outgoing Manquillo and for all his good form at Marseille, he just never seemed to fit into Diego Simeone’s style. With Juanfran in place as the solidified starter, doubts begin to creep in as to when Manquillo was ever going to get a run of games.

Sunderland have an option to buy the Spaniard next summer on a four-year deal if he happens to be the type of player that David Moyes was looking for. He is likely to go straight into the Black Cats’ squad for their trip to Southampton at the weekend.