Challenge at the Metropolitano: 10 days to find a '9'

Atletico were proclaimed champions of LaLiga 2020-21. The new season has started and the Spanish side want to defend the crown in the best possible way and, why not, revalidate the trophy. To do so, they want to have the best squad possible.

As soon as the 2020-21 season ended, Simeone made a request: he needed a '9'. The board got down to work... but they still haven't found the guaranteed striker that Cholo is asking for.

Right now, according to 'Marca', there are two names marked in red at the Metropolitano: Dusan Vlahovic and Matheus Cunha. They are the great candidates for a place in Atleti's attack.

The big favourite is Vlahovic. But in recent weeks the Serbian has attracted the interest of countless teams and his club, Fiorentina, has taken advantage of his pull in the market to ask for 100 million for him. A figure that Atletico Madrid do not intend to pay. 

The club's plan is to wait. They understand that, perhaps, the 'viola' entity to see that no one puts that great figure, will be forced to lower the price. Atletico would then try to convince the president, Commisso, to sell him to them. 

The positive part is that they already have the player's "yes". According to 'Sky Sport', Vlahovic would have given his word to Atletico in exchange for five million euros a year.

And the 'plan B', according to this source, would be Matheus Cunha. His profile is not so much that of a pure striker, but more along the lines of Angel Correa. But if the option of Vlahovic remains stagnant, Atletico could opt for this route, which would be somewhat more advanced.