The Weekly Rojiblanco: Shut the window, please

Pencils down

Deadline day has come and gone for the Premier League, a deadline that brought a couple of deals for Atlético Madrid.

One In: He may be an ex-Premier Leaguer, but the red and whites at last brought in their new backup striker. Diego Simeone got his man in Nikola Kalinić. The former AC Milan forward saw his place in the squad slip away when the Rossoneri brought in Argentina international Gonzalo Higuaín following his loan move from Juventus — which was forced by Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at the Old Lady.

So if you think about it, Cristiano is responsible for Kalinić’s arrival. Take that as you will. The Croatian debuted at the Wanda Metropolitano Saturday, in a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan.

One Out: Luciano Vietto is taking his talents to the Premier League on a one-year loan to newly promoted Fulham FC. The 24-year-old forward’s disappointing seasons have caused the mattress makers to loan him out — now for the third time — and Fulham, like Sevilla and Valencia, have an option to buy. Vietto made his English debut in a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Valencia, meanwhile, have confirmed a preliminary agreement with Atlético to sign Kévin Gameiro for a fee between €16 million and €18 million euros. Atleti have yet to confirm this, however.

Planning ahead

Now that the football world is aware of keeper value, Atlético have stepped up efforts to lock up prized netminder Jan Oblak and raise his buyout clause to an enormous price.

Marca and Cadena SER have reported that Atlético would like to up Oblak’s trigger clause to an eye-watering €250 million following Premier League side Chelsea’s €80m purchase of Athletic Club’s Kepa Arrizabalaga. It’s unknown how amenable Oblak and his representation would be to a buyout figure that would make his exit nearly impossible — or at the very least, force any suitors to enter difficult negotiations with Atleti.

Marca further claimed on Sunday that Diego Godín had agreed a renewal to 2021. The reporter, Alberto Barbero, has close links to Atleti CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. I’m not saying “BELIEVE IT,” but at any rate it seems talks are progressing over a new contract for the captain.

Finally: Barbero says that in addition to Godín, Simeone’s captains in 2018/19 will be Koke, Antoine Griezmann and Juanfran.

The Loaners

COMING SOON: A look at what we predict will come from Atlético players loaned out to other squads around the world.