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- If a transfer window closes in the woods and no one’s around to hear it...
Hello Atléticos, and welcome to another edition of the Weekly Rojiblanco. As you know, the winter transfer window has closed, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it went out with more of a whisper than a bang for Atlético Madrid. This is surely due in part to the work put in this past summer to secure Diego Costa and Vitolo ahead of the end to Atlético’s registration ban.
Beyond those early arrivals and the departure of Augusto Fernández for China, the closing of this window is perhaps more notable for who stayed put. Despite ongoing rumors dating back to what feels like the dawn of time, Antoine Griezmann remains an Atlético player until this summer at least. Meanwhile, deals to offload Nicolás Gaitán and Kevin Gameiro also failed to materialize.
While it is possible that Gaitán could still be sold to leagues with extended deadlines, the Argentine remains a part of the squad for the upcoming Europa League matches (per AS). This may suggest that the club expects him to stick around for the time being.
The only other news of note regarding transfers involves Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Diego Jota. Wolves exercised their option to buy the attacker from Atlético, which should send a bit of money back into our coffers. Jota’s 11 goals have helped establish Wolves at the top of the English Championship.
- Filipe Luís returns to training
Oft-injured full back Filipe Luís appears to be on the mend and is back training with the squad. The timing is good, as Atlético will see their depth tested in the next couple weeks with Europa League fixtures picking back up. Solid performances in those matches feel almost obligatory after the team crashed out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey earlier this season.
- Simeone suspended for three Copa del Rey matches
Speaking of which, though it is not immediately relevant, Diego Simeone was handed a three-game suspension from the Copa del Rey stemming from his ejection and subsequent behavior in Atlético’s defeat at Sevilla last week.
What do you think? Were you happy with the transfer window, or was there important business left undone? Let us know below.