Atletico Madrid's recent summer signings include Alex Baena (48 million USD), David Hancko (30 million USD), Johnny Cardoso (28 million USD), Thiago Almada (24 million USD), Matteo Ruggeri (19 million USD), and Marc Pubill (18 million USD).

Last summer, the club acquired Julian Alvarez (85 million USD), Conor Gallagher (48 million USD), Robin Le Normand (39 million USD), Alexander Sorloth (37 million USD), Juan Musso (5 million USD), and Clement Lenglet (3.5 million USD). According to Transfermarkt, Atletico has spent a total of 385 million USD in the last two summer transfer windows, surpassing all other La Liga clubs.

Baena (left) is the latest expensive star to join Atletico Madrid. Photo: Atletico

Baena (left) is the latest expensive star to join Atletico Madrid. Photo: Atletico

Since Carlos Bucero replaced Andrea Berta (who moved to Arsenal) as Sporting Director in 1/2024, Atletico’s transfer market balance sheet has been even better than their city rivals, Real Madrid. While Real Madrid spent less during the two summer transfer windows—approximately 247.5 million USD—they only recouped 20 million USD from player sales. Atletico, on the other hand, brought in 193 million USD.

Before joining Atletico, Bucero had already established a strong reputation representing players and managers, and working with super-agent Jorge Mendes. He also previously worked for Real Madrid under former Sporting Director Predrag Mijatovic during Ramon Calderon's presidency. Bucero’s transfer market expertise is now proving invaluable to Atletico.

Atletico's leadership change reflects a clear strategic direction. "Over the past 10 years, the club has grown significantly. But past success doesn't guarantee future success. Therefore, we want to strengthen our management team with individuals who can help increase revenue and drive further growth," CEO Gil Marin stated last year.

With this new leadership, Atletico has become a major player in the transfer market over the past two summers. Twelve players joined the team, while 11 departed, generating significant income: Joao Felix (60 million USD), Samu Omorodion (36 million USD), Arthur Vermeeren (26 million USD), Samuel Lino (25 million USD), Alvaro Morata (15 million USD), Caglar Soyuncu (10 million USD), Rodrigo Riquelme (9 million USD), Angel Correa (9 million USD), Santiago Mourino (2 million USD), Horatiu Moldovan (286,000 USD), and German Valera (29,000 USD). Others, like Rodrigo de Paul (who recently joined Inter Miami), left on loan.

"We are striving to build a strong, competitive team that brings joy to our fans every weekend," President Enrique Cerezo told Radio Nacional last week. A few days later, at the annual pre-season party in Segovia, he boldly declared, "This season, our goal isn't just a top-three finish in La Liga; we aim to conquer all three competitions we're entering."

Bucero has orchestrated numerous transfers for Atletico since the summer of 2024. Photo: Marca

Bucero has orchestrated numerous transfers for Atletico since the summer of 2024. Photo: Marca

To achieve this, Atletico has spent nearly 170 million USD since July 1st, the start of the 2025 summer transfer window in Spain. This makes Atletico the seventh-highest spending club globally in July, behind Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Manchester United.

However, considering total spending over the past 5 years (from July 2020 to the present), Atletico is the biggest investor in transfers among Spanish clubs, with nearly 687 million USD, far exceeding Real Madrid (538 million USD) and Barcelona (524 million USD). This investment aims to rebuild a squad increasingly accustomed to change.

Since the summer of 2020, Atletico has seen 112 new signings and 111 departures. This is significantly more than Barcelona, which has had 101 new contracts and 97 departing players under four managers: Ronald Koeman, Sergi Barjuan, Xavi, and Hansi Flick. It's also nearly double Real Madrid's activity, with 63 new contracts and 62 departures under three managers: Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti, and currently Xabi Alonso.

Throughout this period, Atletico has maintained stability under Diego Simeone, the second-longest-serving manager at a single club in Europe, after Frank Schmidt, who has been with Heidenheim since 2007.

Simeone joined Atletico in 1/2012. In 13 years, including a stadium move from Vicente Calderon to Metropolitano, the Argentinian manager has not only returned Atletico to Europe's most prestigious competition but has also won eight titles: two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, two Europa League titles, and two UEFA Super Cups.

Gallagher, Alvarez, Le Normand, and Sorloth embody Atletico Madrid's spending in the transfer market since last summer.

Simeone's Atletico is not simply a defensive team. Over the past two years, they have adopted a more proactive and versatile approach. Their two biggest signings in this period, Julian Alvarez and Alex Baena, are both attacking, technical players.

Now, Atletico faces its greatest challenge yet. For the first time in years, the club's leadership has publicly acknowledged that third place in La Liga may no longer be sufficient. From the Metropolitano offices, they believe that only victory can guarantee organizational stability.

Evidence of this collective effort is the current squad's market value, which has reached 667 million USD according to Transfermarkt, surpassing last season's value for the first time in over five years. With a more valuable and younger squad—six of the eight new signings are younger than their predecessors—Atletico's ambitions have been raised.

Compiled by Hoang Thong