A global showcase

Beyond looking at the World Cup with the hope that Llorente, Pubill and Baena be crowned champions or advance their goal of Cucurella and Kang-in Lee become red and white once their participation concludes, the Athletic also experience the meeting of the United States, Mexico and Canada very aware of the performance of a good part of his international players, as it can determine both his future and the movements of Mateu Alemany in this market.

Thus, regardless of what happens with a Julian Alvarez which already conditions the summer planning in itself (both because of the million-dollar amount that a hypothetical exit would leave and because of the cost and difficulty that finding spare parts of their level would entail), there are other names that aim to play a transcendental role in the planning of the next season based on their prominence in the World Cup. In this way, and although each situation is different, Sorloth, Giménez, Almada, Molina and Obed Vargas go up to a particular showcase in these weeks from which they may be marking their destiny.

Starting with Sorloth, who despite having scored 44 goals in his 107 games as a red and white player, has also left doubts about his ability to be the number 9 of a team that aspires to rub shoulders with Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain and with the rest of the continent’s giants, in Europe. In this sense, the Norwegian has claimed to be a perfect refreshment scorer, contrasting with his desire to have much more prominence. Hence the door opens wide to a transferespecially knowing that Juventus and Milan dream about his signing, Newcastle take you following the entire course or in the Turkish Superiga They join the bidding. However, it must be taken into account that Atlético paid 32 million plus 10 million in variables to Villarreal two years ago, which would take 20% of a sale if it occurs this summer (its contract expires in 2028), so It could never close below 30 or 40 million that would be easy to demand with a good performance in the World Cup.

Almada’s future causes much more uncertainty, since his first year as a rojiblanco clearly turned out disappointing. Quite the opposite of what happens every time he puts on the Argentina shirt, hence his participation with the national team seems like a perfect opportunity to claim. In its case, it also has a market (River He longs to return to his country and Brazil They do not forget his time in Botagofo), but it remains to be seen if he has the financial muscle necessary to take advantage of a footballer with his entire career still ahead of him (he is only 25 years old) and for whom Atlético invested 21 million last summer.

Unknowns to be resolved

In the case of Giménez, the World Cup is presented as a challenge to demonstrate that it is still a current center. Although he still has two more years of commitment to Atlético, both the club and the footballer understand that the time has come to separate their paths. In this sense, the gratitude is mutual and the willingness to facilitate the departure of a legend like the Uruguayan is total, with both parties aware that his legacy could have been even greater if injuries had not hampered his career. Precisely that factor is what now determines how his farewell will take place, because if he can compete at a good level with his team there is the conviction that the Uruguayan continues to have enough poster for a transfer to prosper in European football.

At the other extreme appears Nahuel Molina, because although he has the Simeone’s total confidenceyour status world championthe mark he left in Calcio or the great moments he offered this season (his great goal at the Bernabéu is the best example) they always place him as the footballer with the greatest margin to achieve an important sale. Even more so considering that after four seasons in the squad (he still has two more left), Atlético has already more than amortized the 20 kilos that his signing cost, so an important offer after the World Cup could be studied.

Finally, Obed Vargas assumes the biggest unknown after having made a place for himself on Mexico’s list. Thus, although at 20 years old and after 13 games for Atlético in which he has come into contact with European football, The idea for the next season involves a loan in LaLiga that allows him to finish his training, nor is any scenario ruled out if he were to revalue himself in the World Cup. In this sense, after his arrival barely cost 3 million, any significant offer would represent an added value to be taken into account, although it remains to be seen if he will have prominence considering that he would not have minutes in the opening match.