Morata, Saúl set for Atlético stays if offers don’t come in

Atlético Madrid have a Plan B if they can’t manage to raise funds through departures this summer. If they can’t sell their returning stars, Álvaro Morata and Saúl Ñíguez, they will change their focus according to Rubén Uría of Goal España.

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Saúl and Morata ended their loan spells with Chelsea FC and Juventus respectively this summer. Atlético have spoken to Morata, who left the club partly because of a difference of opinion with Diego Simeone. According to Uria, Morata has spoken with the club recently and he has no problem returning to the Spanish capital. Juventus, or someone else, will have to come up with €35 million to secure his services, and that hasn’t happened yet.

Atlético will not entertain loan deals for the striker — they will either sell him, or he will play at the Metropolitano next season.

Saúl’s situation is very similar. Unless a team makes an offer that Atlético deem good enough, the midfielder will start the preseason with Simeone’s squad.

If neither player leaves, Atlético will continue to search for a starting right-back, along with competition for Geoffrey Kondogbia in defensive midfield. The club could improve in other positions, too, but would need to make a big sale from elsewhere in the squad if interesting offers do not arrive for Morata or for Saúl.

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Atlético have a number of futures to resolve this summer. Keeping Saúl and Morata might end any talk of signings (specifically replacing those players). The report by Uría might be part of a larger strategy, to let teams know that Atlético have a competitive squad as is.

Meanwhile, Sergio Camello recently told Marca that he is ready to play at a higher level. The striker scored 15 goals for Mirandés last season but has been told by Atlético that he will be sent on loan again. “Now is the moment to go to a LaLiga team,” he said. “I think I can win a place at Atlético.”