Sevilla interested in signing Hermoso; player wants to stay in Madrid

Perhaps no Atlético Madrid player fell further from grace last season than Mario Hermoso. The left-footed center-back was integral to Atlético’s league title success in 2020/21, but his frequent errors throughout 2021/22 left observers scratching their heads, wondering how the 27-year-old could pop up with sensational late goals while also failing to cover his position at least decently.

Matters with Mario came to a head in February after a disastrous display at Barcelona, when Adama Traoré tore Hermoso apart in the first half of an eventual 4-2 loss. After that defeat, Diego Simeone inserted new signing Reinildo Mandava into the team, and the Mozambican rarely came out afterward. Hermoso was mostly a spectator between mid-February and the end of May, making only two starts in LaLiga following his personal Camp Nou catastrophe — both coming when third place was all the Colchoneros had to play for.

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Many figured Hermoso would be one of the first players out the door this summer as Atlético looked to rebuild its defense, but the club has yet to make a signing at any defensive position as the first team wraps up its grueling two-week preseason camp at Los Ángeles de San Rafael. That could change next week, with Gianluca Di Marzio among several reporters saying right-back Nahuel Molina will have a medical in Madrid on Monday ahead of signing a five-year contract with Atleti.

But the fact is that even though the unit’s fortunes changed with Reinildo’s arrival in February, Atlético’s front office has not seen it as a priority to reinforce Simeone’s central defense options.

Marca’s David Medina on Saturday reported that Sevilla are interested in acquiring Hermoso as a replacement for Jules Koundé, who is heading either to Barça or Chelsea. Atlético would like to sell the player for a reasonable fee and would move to replace him if he’s sold.

But Hermoso doesn’t seem interested in a transfer, as he’s started a family and is comfortable in his native Madrid. It is thought that his €4 million per year salary would also be a lot for Sevilla to take on, though the Andalusian side had a higher wage bill than Atleti last year.

Regardless, the defense is still a major concern for Simeone after his famed back line leaked 43 goals in LaLiga a season ago. José Giménez and Stefan Savić missed 24 league games between them last year, while the club saw fit to extend 33-year-old Felipe’s contract despite the Brazilian’s own erratic form.

A Hermoso sale could give Atlético the flexibility within LaLiga’s financial controls to sign a center-back “of guarantees” — without one, challenging for trophies this season will be tough.