Atlético Madrid transfer round-up: Bayern say “no” to Saúl, Porto midfielder available

There may not be much news on signings between holidays and international competition but that won’t stop Atlético Madrid’s rumour mill from turning.

Atlético won LaLiga last year, but the hard part now is both retaining that title and challenging in Europe next season.

For that reason, there will be signings this summer and players will leave.

Longtime midfielder Saúl Ñíguez has already expressed a desire to leave the club, according to reports. But Bayern Munich have said there will be “no big signings,” effectively ruling themselves out of signing the 26-year-old. Former Bayern president Uli Hoeness explained a couple weeks back that “you can forget about” big signings this summer.

“It was discussed between the administration council and the supervision council in the last meeting,” Hoeness clarified.

There are a couple more clubs interested in the player, including Juventus and possibly Manchester United, but nothing will likely happen until after EURO 2020. Additionally, Rodrigo de Paul’s future needs to be sorted out at Udinese, and that transfer could be linked with Saúl’s.

Kieran Trippier remains linked to Man United, but Atlético are holding firm even at the risk of losing him at a discounted fee next summer, when he’ll have one year left on his contract.

The English defender is at the Euros with his country after a second season as an important part of Diego Simeone’s side. England are expected to do well at the tournament this summer, and a good performance might increase Trippier’s price tag.

This could convince Atlético that they can’t lose him, given the lack of replacements they currently have got him in their squad.

This next one might be nonsense, but according to reports in Italy, Gianluigi Buffon has an option to play with Atlético for a year.

The 43-year-old won’t play much given Atlético’s reliance on Jan Oblak. However, he might be keen to learn from Simeone for a year if he is thinking about a career in coaching once he does hang up his gloves.

Finally, according to Record in Portugal, Atlético have made an offer for Jesús “Tecatito” Corona of Porto. The Mexican midfielder is versatile and might be seen as a replacement for Saúl as he can play central midfield, wide midfielder, and full-back.

Sevilla are interested in Corona, but Atlético want the 28-year-old to run down his contract and sign for free in 2022.