• Signing: Rodrigo, Atlético for 60 million

Five days after the league premiere, Rodrigo Moreno said goodbye to his teammates in Valencia to head for Atlético de Madrid . The operation, as El Mundo has been able to confirm, will close at around 60 million euros , between fixed and variable, and will place the rojiblanco team as the club that has spent the most on signings in Europe: about 300 million , in a technical draw with Real Madrid . Of course, it is also the one that has entered more money, 311 'kilos ' waiting to specify the departures of Correa or Kalinic. Despite the huge investment, the summer balance is positive.

The movement surprises because the chosen one looked like James Rodriguez , who has little to do with the Spanish-Brazilian and that would cover other needs of Atlético -imagination and distant shooting-, but puts dynamite in the hands of Simeone: three strikers of the Spanish team - Rodrigo, Morata and Diego Costa - and a boy with the scent of future global phenomenon, Joao Felix . Also a puzzle, because none have a fixed place. The Portuguese will start, but his position will depend on how the rest is placed.

Rodrigo Moreno is not a 'killer' ( eight league goals last season, 15 among all competitions) but a very good striker. Precisely that lack of scoring instinct delayed its explosion until Marcelino arrived in Valencia and placed it as a second point. There, taking advantage of the reference of a 'nine' to open or fill spaces, is where you see the best Rodrigo.

Also, and although they are very different, it is a replacement insurance for Diego Costa : before the muscular problems of the Lagarto striker, more and more frequent, or in case his relationship with the club does not improve. As El Mundo reported yesterday, he has an open file for his expulsion against Barça last year - which cost him an eight-game penalty - and has not resolved with Atlético the issue of his problem with the Treasury .

In fact , Costa's new injury and that penalty he still carries will give him a chance in the first few days to earn a place in the eleven. Atlético de Madrid works so that it can be available in Sunday's league premiere against Getafe (10 pm), although the deadlines would be very fair.

Upon winning the Copa del Rey , the Spanish international showed his departure from Valencia. His refusal to interest Naples and Everton , among others, and the proximity of the beginning of the course made him think that he could continue another season, but this Tuesday morning the player said goodbye to his teammates and traveled to Madrid to close the agreement with the rojiblanco club.

The one who spends the most and the one who enters the most

More than ever this summer, Simeone has been persecuted by the fact that Atlético could not compete with the 'big ones' in the market. Of course, the circumstances are different: the rojiblanco team needed to 'reinvent itself' after losing half a spine and, although the old guard of the Godín, Juanfran or Filipe Luis left nothing in the box, the sales of Griezmann (120 million), Lucas Hernández (80), Rodri (70) and even Gelson (30), who never convinced Simeone, have largely financed the profound reform.

Atleti has covered Griezmann's hole with Joao Felix, one of the most tempting promises of world football; He has renewed the sides with Kieran Trippier and Renán Lodi ; he has renewed the center of defense with Mario Hermoso and Felipe ; and has reinforced the core with Marcos Llorente and a very good balance as Héctor Herrera .

According to Transfermarkt data, the balance is positive: it has spent 303 million euros (compared to 305 of Real Madrid) and has entered 311 waiting to solve the future of Correa and Kalinic. The Argentine is placed in Milan for 55 million euros, according to information from 'La Ser' and the Serbian, who did not convince Simeone, continues to work waiting for his solution to be resolved.

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  • Rodrigo Moreno
  • Atlético de Madrid
  • Real Madrid
  • Diego Costa
  • Rodri
  • Valencia
  • Europe
  • James Rodriguez
  • Juanfran
  • Kieran Trippier
  • Marcos Llorente
  • Mario Hermoso
  • sports

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