As the January transfer window heats up, all eyes are on Atletico Madrid and their bustling activity both on and off the pitch. With the Spanish giants currently holding fourth place in La Liga and a crucial clash against Real Sociedad looming, the club is at the center of multiple transfer sagas and squad dilemmas that could shape their season’s outcome. Meanwhile, Juventus and Lazio are also circling, hoping to strengthen their squads with Atletico’s talent in a market brimming with intrigue and tactical maneuvering.
Atletico Madrid’s league form has been nothing short of impressive in recent weeks. Under Diego Simeone’s steadfast leadership, Los Rojiblancos have notched victories in eight of their last ten league matches, cementing their reputation as one of Spain’s most reliable outfits. They currently sit fourth with 37 points from 18 games, trailing Barcelona by 12 but holding a game in hand—a tantalizing prospect as they look to close the gap in the coming weeks. Their dominance was on full display in their final fixture of 2025, dispatching Girona 3-0 thanks to a thunderous 25-yard strike from Koke, followed by goals from Conor Gallagher and the ever-dangerous Antoine Griezmann.
But it’s not just on the field where Atletico are making headlines. The club’s attacking depth is both a blessing and a source of speculation, with several European powerhouses eyeing their forwards. Juventus, in particular, have reportedly revived their interest in Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth. The Bianconeri’s urgency stems from a mounting injury crisis: Dusan Vlahovic, their first-choice striker as identified by manager Luciano Spalletti, is sidelined with a high-grade lesion that could keep him out until the spring. Arkadiuz Milik has only just returned to the squad after an 18-month injury ordeal, and his readiness for competitive fixtures remains uncertain.
This has left Spalletti relying on Jonathan David and Lois Openda to lead the line, but both have struggled to deliver in key moments. David’s missed penalty against Lecce cost Juventus two vital points, while Openda squandered a golden injury-time opportunity in the same match. The pressure is mounting, and new sporting director Marco Ottolini is reportedly exploring the possibility of luring Sorloth away from Madrid this January.
Sorloth, who joined Atletico from Villarreal in the summer of 2024, has found himself in a crowded attacking rotation. Despite making 22 appearances across all competitions this season and contributing five goals and one assist, the 30-year-old Norwegian has often had to settle for a role off the bench. Atletico’s wealth of attacking options—Julián Álvarez, Antoine Griezmann, and Sorloth himself—means manager Diego Simeone has the luxury of rotating his forward line, but it also opens the door for potential exits as the transfer window unfolds.
Yet, prying Sorloth away from the Spanish capital won’t be easy. He remains under contract with Atletico until June 2028, and with the club still fighting on multiple fronts, Simeone may be reluctant to lose a proven goal-scorer mid-season. As reported by La Stampa via TuttoJuve, "Diego Simeone’s ranks are crammed with top attacking talent, so the 30-year-old hasn’t always been in the starting lineup, even though he remains an important part of the rotation." Juventus will need to present a compelling offer if they hope to bolster their misfiring attack with Sorloth’s services.
Meanwhile, Atletico’s transfer dealings extend far beyond their forward line. In Italy, Lazio and Atletico Madrid are reportedly in advanced talks for a potential swap deal involving French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and Italian striker Giacomo Raspadori. Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, having recently agreed to sell Taty Castellanos to West Ham for €30 million, is eager to reshape his squad following the end of a summer transfer ban that had previously stalled his plans. Guendouzi, valued at €30 million, has attracted interest from Fenerbahce—who have tabled a €25 million offer and a lucrative €4 million yearly salary—but the midfielder reportedly prefers a move to either Sunderland, where he could reunite with Regis Le Bris, or to Atletico Madrid under Simeone’s stewardship.
Atletico’s interest in Guendouzi is matched by Lazio’s desire to bring in Raspadori as a replacement for Castellanos. The Italian striker, currently valued at around €25 million, was initially set to join Roma on loan with an obligation to buy, but he has expressed a preference for a permanent switch—a condition Lazio is willing to meet. Should the swap materialize, Lazio would receive a monetary adjustment to account for the difference in the players’ market values. As Il Messaggero reports, "the exchange deal would entail a monetary adjustment in favor of Lazio, as Raspadori’s market value is circa €25 million."
As the transfer window drama unfolds, Atletico Madrid’s squad depth and transfer strategy are under the microscope. Their ability to retain or replace key players could prove decisive in the second half of the season. Injuries have already forced Simeone’s hand in defense, with Clément Lenglet sidelined by a knee problem and winger Nicolás González doubtful due to hamstring trouble. Despite these setbacks, the predicted starting lineup for the upcoming Real Sociedad clash remains formidable: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Pubill, Hancko; Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Baena; Sorloth, Álvarez. Griezmann, fresh off his goal against Girona, is expected to play a pivotal role, while Sorloth’s inclusion in the starting XI could double as a shop window for potential suitors like Juventus.
The stakes are high for Atletico as they prepare to face Real Sociedad on Sunday, January 4, with kickoff at 8pm BST. The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports in the UK, offering fans a front-row seat to a contest with significant implications in the La Liga title race. Atletico’s unbeaten record in their last eight meetings with Real Sociedad adds an extra layer of intrigue—will Simeone’s men extend their dominance, or will the ongoing transfer distractions take a toll on their focus?
With the transfer window still open and negotiations ongoing, the coming weeks promise plenty of twists and turns for Atletico Madrid and their European rivals. Whether it’s Sorloth’s potential move to Turin, Guendouzi’s desire to join Simeone in Spain, or Raspadori’s future in limbo, the only certainty is that the football world will be watching every development with bated breath. As the action on the pitch continues and the transfer market simmers, Atletico Madrid find themselves at the heart of a winter drama that could define their season’s ambitions—both at home and abroad.