Atletico Madrid are preparing to sell club captain José María Giménez as part of a significant defensive restructuring this summer, according to Sport.
Sporting director Mateu Alemany is reportedly facing a ‘painful sale’ to free up funds for new signings, with the backline identified as the priority area for investment following a campaign where Atletico conceded 81 goals across all competitions, including 44 in La Liga. Alemany has previously demonstrated a willingness to sanction major departures to facilitate a squad rebuild.
Alongside Giménez, Clément Lenglet is also considered likely to leave the club. Lenglet arrived for a fee of just €3 million and initially impressed on loan, but his form has since declined, with errors impacting his position in the team. A sale would represent a return on the initial investment.
Giménez’s situation is more complex due to his status as a long-serving captain and fan favourite. While his form has been impacted by injuries, and he has not always been a regular starter under Diego Simeone, he remains a popular figure at the Wanda Metropolitano. Reports in the Madrid press, cited by Sport, suggest a strained relationship between Giménez and Simeone, potentially making the club more open to offers.
David Hancko and Marc Pubill are expected to be mainstays in the Atletico defence next season, with Robin Le Normand providing rotation. This leaves Giménez and Lenglet as the most expendable centre-backs. Alemany is already in talks regarding midfield additions, and generating transfer income and reducing the wage bill through defensive departures is crucial to funding these moves.
The transfer window closes on August 31, and while selling Giménez would be a difficult decision given his importance to the club, Atletico are prepared to consider significant offers for the Uruguayan international.
