Five defenders Atlético Madrid could sign this January

Atlético Madrid’s priority this January is to bring in another defender. After losing Kieran Trippier to Newcastle and after realising that four centre-backs aren’t enough for a team that often plays with a back three, Los Colchoneros want another centre-back or a right-back or, ideally, a player who can play in both roles.

There are several players who fit that description and who have already been linked with Atleti. Here comes a look at five of the candidates to make a winter switch to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

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César Azpilicueta to Atlético?

César Azpilicueta is the dream option for Atlético Madrid, although he’s also one of the most unlikely to join. He would be perfect for the reigning Spanish champions, as he can play anywhere across the back line and would also bring some extra experience and leadership to a defence that needs it. The Spain international, whose Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season, isn’t ruling anything out, but is more likely to move in the summer if at all.

David García to Atlético?

Reports in Spain claim that Osasuna’s David García is Diego Simeone’s preferred option. The 27-year-old is in his prime and knows LaLiga Santander already, having come through the Osasuna youth academy and having been a starter for several seasons now. He isn’t as versatile as some of the other options and has a slightly offputting release clause of €20m, but García is believed to be El Cholo’s pick.

Cédric Soares to Atlético?

With Cédric Soares having been given limited playing time at Arsenal this season, he could be brought in on loan to fill a gap for Atlético Madrid over the second half of this season. The right-back would be a direct replacement for Trippier and compete with the injury-prone Šime Vrsaljko for minutes on the right of defence.

Nordi Mukiele to Atlético?

Nordi Mukiele is another versatile player who would tick the right-back and centre-back boxes. The RB Leipzig man is primarily deployed on the right of defence or even on the right wing, but he has experience playing in the middle too, especially from his time at Montpellier. The 24-year-old Frenchman has been on Atleti’s radar for some time and this could be the window when they finally make a push for him.

Attila Szalai to Atlético?

One player Atlético Madrid have been linked with for several months already is Attila Szalai, the Hungary international currently at Fenerbahçe. He is a left-footed centre-back and wouldn’t help solve the right-back void, even though he has played left-back on occasion, but the Rojiblancos really like Szalai’s qualities and could bring him in to be their fifth centre-back.