Atlético hope to find a taker for Giménez

It’s no secret that Atlético Madrid are planning changes this summer. It seems like there are busy months ahead at the Cívitas Metropolitano, from tying up exciting youngsters on new contracts to reshaping the first team under Diego Simeone (or a potential successor).

Of course, Atlético are making it known that sales are necessary in order to revitalize the squad. Atleti will pocket more than €40 million from Matheus Cunha’s transfer to Wolves, while the club could be set for a further windfall if Chelsea purchase João Félix in the summer. Long-serving Rojiblancos like Saúl Ñíguez, Yannick Carrasco, and Jan Oblak could feasibly leave in a few months’ time amid suspected Premier League interest in the latter two.

According to MARCA’s David Medina and Isaac Suárez on Wednesday, some at Atlético are most keen on selling a separate longstanding squad member — center-back José Giménez, the club’s third captain.

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Giménez, who joined Atlético from Danubio in 2013, has two years left on the contract extension he signed in 2021. Atleti previously turned down reported enquiries about him from Manchester City, Inter Milan, and others. But it now seems that some on the sporting side believe it’s time to move on from the Uruguayan defender:

For the first time since he settled in the starting 11, Giménez has lost his place while healthy due to Simeone’s greater confidence in Stefan Savić, the leader of the defense today, and Mario Hermoso, “recovered” in the line of four due to how easily he starts play (with his passing ability) — even though Savić’s suspension is going to give Giménez an opportunity to start against Athletic this coming Sunday.

The Uruguayan has fallen down the pecking order just when there are doubts about his future. Despite the fact that his contract ends in 2025, there are more than a few on the main floor of the Metropolitano who think that selling him now, before he turns 30, would be the best option.

This is not the first time Atlético have publicly floated selling Giménez (and not even the first time this month). The 28-year-old has labored through another season plagued by injury and inconsistency. He has made 12 appearances in LaLiga (starting in 11) and has been an unused substitute in three of Atlético’s past four games — including the biggest match of the year, last month’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal loss to Real Madrid.

Giménez somehow avoided a major suspension from FIFA after, erm, losing his temper at the World Cup last year. But the player’s well-documented injury history has stunted his development when it once appeared he was on his way to becoming one of the world’s best central defenders. And as Giménez gets older, his muscular problems will continue to mount, robbing him even further of his speed and strength.

Giménez is the second longest-serving member of the first team behind club captain Koke. He has never asked to leave Atleti, always affirming his love for and commitment to the club when prompted. That seems like it would be a major stumbling block to any sale, but it’s difficult to argue that his value won’t decline sharply in coming seasons.