Julien Laurens examines Antoine Griezmann's future with Atletico, and the FC crew debate where he should go if he leaves.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has suggested his club are preparing for a busy winter transfer window, and that he "has had some chats" with those above him regarding January business.
Atletico have been unable to register new players during the last two windows due to a FIFA transfer ban -- while summer signings Diego Costa from Chelsea and Vitolo from Sevilla will be able to play from Jan. 1 2018 when the ban officially ends.
Simeone told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey round-of-32 second leg at home to Elche that he had already discussed the situation with sporting director Andrea Berta and chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin.
"The truth is that at the moment, with as many games as we have coming up, there are a lot of demands on all of us," Simeone told Marca.
"Andrea, for sure with Miguel, they are managing the situation, and we have had some chats. But my head is on [the La Liga fixture versus] Elche."
One player possibly heading towards the exit door is Croatia right-back Sime Vrsaljko, who has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Napoli with Manchester City and Juventus also potentially interested.
"Sime is a big player and all big players have a market," Simeone said. "We are happy when other clubs look at our players.
"That is normal, a positive thing. There is nothing irreversible, he has been injured. He has done well when he plays. It is also a fact that Juanfran, when he plays, has done very well."
Diego Simeone says January transfer business has been discussed at Atletico Madrid.
Simeone was later asked about Wednesday evening where Atletico start the second leg at 1-1, and suggested that while he cannot take too many risks, Antoine Griezmann would begin on the bench.
"We will look for the team which we see as the most competitive for this challenge," Simeone said. "In the first leg we started well, with chances, but in the second half the opponent left a good feeling.
"Griezmann is in the squad, but I do not know if he will start."
Griezmann scored twice in Saturday's 5-0 La Liga win at Levante, in which he appeared to be liberated by playing a deeper position behind fellow France international Kevin Gameiro.
"Griezmann's important in total, above all when Gameiro is in such a good moment, bringing such pace to the attack," Simeone said.
"Maybe [Griezmann] does not feel so comfortable with [Angel] Correa, as there is no reference point up front. Sometimes you must wait, as there are things we do not yet have."
With La Liga's lack of VAR technology a major talking point this week following Lionel Messi's "ghost goal" for Barcelona at Valencia last weekend, Simeone said he personally was in favour.
"I believe we are calling out for this 'hawk-eye' technology," he said. "It would clarify many situations."
Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan
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Source: espn.co.uk