Atletico Madrid Sporting Director Mateu Alemany and manager Diego Simeone continue to argue in front of the media, as the transfer window enters its final week. Simeone has been insisting on bringing in more players, while Alemany has been very careful about what Los Rojiblancos need.
In the January transfer window, Javi Galan, Carlos Martin, Conor Gallagher and Giacomo Raspadori all left the club, with no further additions. Earlier this week Simeone asked for players to be signed, but Alemany noted that they are looking to bring in one or two players, if they make a difference in terms of quality.
Marc Pubill has been hit and passed the total 0 times in his last 5 games.
– Majorca: 0
– Galatasaray: 0
– Strength: 0
– Deportivo de La Coruña: 0
-Real Madrid: 0 pic.twitter.com/CthpGOMrzX– Atlético Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 25, 2026
Mateu Alemany: ‘There is something special or we will not move’
Speaking ahead of Atletico’s 3-0 win over RCD Mallorca, Alemany was asked about their plans in the final stages of the transfer market.
“There is one week and one day left; we will continue to confirm things on our list day by day, and obviously, things are getting clearer. We have already decided what can and cannot be done, always clearly. In the next two or three days, we should have a clear idea whether we will do something or not,” he told DAZN, as quoted by Diario.
“You can’t wait until the last minute. By Thursday at the latest, there must be a clear vision and a tangible situation. If we want to do something, it must be something strong and include a player of a different level that helps, a player with an important position.”
Simeone noted last week that even if some of the players who left didn’t play much, it was important to have them in case of injury or otherwise. There is one thing Alemany seems to disagree with.
“We had 24 players in the team, there were too many players and then there was a movement that happened in the market; that’s how it happened and we got used to a clear and organized system.”
“Yes, the coach, the staff, and the club are completely in line with what we need and what we would like to do; we also look at the realities of the market. We need something, something special, with a different quality; besides, we will always look at our youth academy. The team has enough depth; four moves, if we talk about numbers, is just one. We are working full time, but we are busy with it without receiving funding.”
#AtleticoMadrid hit Mallorca.
The conundrum of Julian Álvarez.
Another Simeone head designer.
Things I didn’t get into: Pubill is great, Llorente is great too. Barrios has 2/3 moves that keep Atleti going, and going. pic.twitter.com/ctjQJhZEKJ
– Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow) January 25, 2026
Diego Simeone: ‘It’s very clear the players we need’
Simeone, speaking after their win over Mallorca, sang a very different tune when speaking to the media after the match.
“We need players to complete the squad, and I hope to reach the level that Mateu, Miguel reached [Angel Gil Marin]Enrique [Cerezo]Carlos [Bucero]and I know we can reach it.”
“There is no doubt that we will look for the players that the team needs, because they need them.”
Unlike Alemany, Simeone seemed to feel that not signing was not an option.
“There is nothing I can add here. Mateu and I talk every day, we always talk, and it is clear which players we need.”
Simeone on Alvarez’s goal drought
This week Julian Alvarez’s goal drought in La Liga reached four months. It has been a constant topic of conversation for Simeone throughout the press conference, but he noted that “Julian played a good game without scoring goals, but good nonetheless,” before being asked about it. After that, he had the following to say.
“All players pass but we are always relaxed about it, we know that he is a different player. If we want to achieve something this season, we need him 100% because he is one of the best players in the team.”
