Ángel Correa has doubts over staying at Atlético - report

Atlético Madrid’s most productive forward during the just-concluded 2021/22 season could leave the club this summer.

That is according to Patricia Cazón at Diario AS, who reported on Monday morning that Ángel Correa is frustrated and concerned about his future in Diego Simeone’s team — and he may seek a transfer in response, despite his popularity with Simeone’s staff and with his teammates in the dressing room (some of whom are reportedly aware of Correa’s feelings).

Though Correa extended his contract in January and ultimately ended this season with a career-best 19 goal contributions in all competitions (13 scored/6 assisted), he was named a substitute in four of Atlético’s final five league games. The 27-year-old’s second-half goal against Real Sociedad on Sunday night was his first since February — Atlético’s Champions League fixture against Manchester United that month proved to be the final time he played a complete 90 minutes this season.

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Correa was one of the heroes as Atleti took LaLiga in 2020/21, scoring on the final day against Valladolid and making 29 starts in the competition. He started 2021/22 in excellent form, with three goals and an assist in the first month, and the starting spot looked like his to lose.

But Antoine Griezmann’s return from FC Barcelona in September and João Félix’s emergence earlier this calendar year convinced Simeone that Correa was better-served helping the team from the bench, and the Argentina international also looked hampered by a foot injury he suffered during a 3-1 win at Real Betis in March.

Cazón explains that the player believes he loses his role in the team more easily than others. The playing time distribution makes his case for him — Correa’s 1,856 league minutes played in 2021/22 is his lowest total since the 2016/17 campaign.

Cazón writes that the summer is long, and a change of heart isn’t ruled out. Correa nearly left Atlético for AC Milan three years ago, but a payment structure was never agreed upon and he stayed. But as this summer transfer window begins, Correa seems ready to consider his options. One can imagine Correa’s rumored resolve to leave will be deepened if Atlético try to sign — or succeed in signing — an expensive center-forward like Benfica’s Darwin Núñez or Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez.