The transfer market can be an emotional roller coaster, both for teams and fans. In the case of Atlético de Madrid, the story of Clement Lenglet and Cristhian Mosquera stands out as a clear example of the complexities that are characteristic of these periods.
Simeone's Initial Wish: Mosquera
Since the beginning of summer, it was clear to Atlético Madrid that they needed to strengthen their defense. Diego Simeone, the Atlético manager, had a young talent in mind who seemed ideal for the team's system: Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera. A promising Spanish defender, Mosquera was seen as a valuable addition to the team, capable of offering solidity and long-term potential.
Atlético made two official offers for Mosquera. The first, which arrived before the team secured Robin Le Normand, offered a fixed amount of around 20 million euros, with possible variations that could reach 25. However, this offer was rejected, and Atlético, seeing that the operation was not moving forward, began to consider other options.
Peter Lim's Role and Failed Negotiations
Despite Atlético's attempts, Peter Lim stood firm on his €25-million price for Mosquera. The second offer, made in August, raised the fixed amount to around €22 million, with variables that would eventually reach €25 million. Despite this, the owner of Valencia did not give his approval.
Atlético were also in parallel talks with other players, such as Slovakian Dávid Hancko from Feyenoord. However, negotiations with Hancko became complicated, and Atlético failed to close the deal. This led the club to re-evaluate its options.
The Change in Direction and Lenglet's Arrival
With the doors closed to Mosquera and Hancko, Atlético were forced to look for alternatives. Ultimately, they opted for Clement Lenglet, a Spanish-French centre-back on loan from Barcelona. Although Lenglet is an experienced player, his arrival was seen as a last-resort solution compared to the promise that Mosquera represented.
The decision to sign Lenglet instead of Mosquera reflects a number of factors. First, the impossibility of reaching an agreement with Valencia for Mosquera's transfer. Second, Atlético's urgent need to strengthen its defense and the lack of viable alternatives at the time. Lenglet, although a quality player, was not Simeone's first choice, but rather a response to an unforeseen situation.