Key pieces in the defense of Atletico Madrid in recent seasons, Diego Godín, Juanfran, and Filipe Luís can now, starting today, sign pre-contracts with other teams. That happens because their respective contracts with the Spanish club will end on June the 30th.
All of them started to negotiate new contracts with the heads of the team, but for different reasons, none of them managed to reach an agreement that was satisfactory for both sides. Godín, Filipe Luís, and Juanfran want to continue defending the Atleti shirt, but they know that several clubs are very interested in their talents.
Godín and Filipe, for example, are very well regarded in Italian and French football, while Juanfran has always been speculated in the English Premier League. If they cannot renew with the trio, Atletico Madrid would have to spend time and money to rebuild its defensive zone. Simeone would no longer have his starting right-back (Juanfran), the left-back (Filipe Luís) and one of the club’s greatest defender of all time (Godín).
The three defenders, symbols of a victorious era in the history of Atleti, still seek an important title for the club, one they have never won before: the UEFA Champions League. In 2014 and 2016, Atleti was the second place, losing both to their city rivals, Real Madrid. This season, the great and waited final will be held in Wanda Metropolitano, the new stadium of Atletico Madrid, and it could be a great opportunity for the team to get their first trophy of this competition. And maybe, the last chance of the big defender trio to get this unprecedented title with their Spanish club.