Atlético Madrid 26/27 squad: 25 players and a 125 million project to fight for everything

Atlético Madrid has closed the 2026-27 transfer window with a 25-man squad, an investment of around 125 million euros and a clear message: to fight for every title. The continuity of Julián Álvarez, the deadline-day arrival of striker Jonathan David and the departure of José María Giménez shape a renewed project under Diego Simeone, who faces his longest trophy drought since taking charge of the club.

• Atlético invests 125 million euros and finalizes a 25-player squad.
• Jonathan David arrives on loan from Juventus with a 25 million option to buy.
• Julián Álvarez stays after the club refused to sell him to Barcelona.
• José María Giménez leaves on loan to Deportivo de La Coruña.
• Simeone adds five new signings and three academy promotions to compete on all fronts.

Five signings to lift the quality of Simeone's system

The Madrid club brought in five top-level players. Cristian 'Cuti' Romero arrives from Tottenham to add authority and strength in defence. Alejandro Grimaldo, signed from Bayer Leverkusen, contributes excellent set-piece delivery, attacking runs and precise crosses from left-back. Morten Hjulmand, recruited from Sporting CP, provides balance, passing and leadership in midfield. Kang in Lee, signed from Paris Saint-Germain, has already become a key attacking weapon thanks to his dribbling. The final arrival was Jonathan David, loaned from Juventus with a purchase option set at 25 million euros.

Academy players step up: Arnau Ortiz, Dani Martínez and Salvador Esquivel

The youth system has also played a significant role in building the squad. Arnau Ortiz, top scorer for Fernando Torres' reserve team with 23 goals in Primera RFEF last season, has earned a place after a pre-season in which he became a decisive figure as a winger or striker. Dani Martínez steps up as a centre-back and alternative at left-back, while Salvador Esquivel becomes the club's third goalkeeper. Carlos Martín also returns after his loan at Rayo Vallecano, following a move to Almería that was not completed in time.

Defence reloaded without Giménez and Lenglet

The backline loses two important centre-backs: José María Giménez, loaned to Deportivo de La Coruña, and Clement Lenglet, who joins Benfica. In return, Atlético has four options in that area. Cristian Romero, yet to make his debut after joining two weeks ago, leads the centre-back group alongside Robin Le Normand. Marc Pubill and David Hancko complete the choices available to Simeone, who can switch between a back three and a back four depending on the match. Hancko can also cover at left-back if needed.

A midfield built on energy and balance

Simeone wanted energy and balance in midfield, two priorities that guided the arrival of Hjulmand. The Dane joins Koke Resurrección, Johnny Cardoso and Obed Vargas as more positional or holding options. Pablo Barrios is expected to take on a starring role, while Rodrigo Mendoza and Álex Baena offer more attacking profiles. Baena, a World Cup winner with Spain, can also play on the left wing or further forward, adding another tactical dimension for the Argentine coach.

Julián Álvarez leads a forward line with plenty of firepower

The attack is built around Julián Álvarez, who is staying at Atlético. The Argentine forward must regain full fitness, restore his belief in the project and win back the affection of a fanbase hurt by his desire to join Barcelona, a move blocked by CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. Alexander Sorloth also remains, while Jonathan David arrives to complement both and add competition, resources and goals. The exit of Antoine Griezmann, the club's all-time top scorer now at Orlando City, forces the team to share attacking responsibility more widely.

Simeone faces the challenge of ending a five-year trophy drought

The Argentine coach is going through his longest spell without silverware since taking over at Atlético. His eight trophies came in the first ten years, but the team recently reached the Champions League semi-finals and the Copa del Rey final. Atlético remains the only club to have beaten both Barcelona and Real Madrid to the league title in the last twenty years, doing it twice, most recently in 2020-21. With every position covered and a highly competitive squad, expectations are once again at their highest.

Atlético Madrid ins and outs in the 26/27 transfer window

Nine arrivals for the first team

• Cristian Romero, permanent signing from Tottenham.
• Alejandro Grimaldo, permanent signing from Bayer Leverkusen.
• Morten Hjulmand, permanent signing from Sporting CP.
• Kang in Lee, permanent signing from Paris Saint-Germain.
• Jonathan David, loan from Juventus with an option to buy.
• Salvador Esquivel, Dani Martínez and Arnau Ortiz, promoted from the academy.
• Carlos Martín, back after his loan spell at Rayo Vallecano.

Seven exits from the 25/26 squad

• José María Giménez, loaned to Deportivo de La Coruña.
• Clement Lenglet, loaned to Benfica.
• Nahuel Molina, transferred to Roma.
• Matteo Ruggeri, transferred to Aston Villa.
• Thiago Almada, transferred to River Plate.
• Antoine Griezmann, transferred to Orlando City.
• Nico González, returned to Juventus after his loan ended.