Atlético Madrid is ramping up its pursuit of young talents from Valencia, with eyes particularly set on midfield dynamo Javi Guerra and promising defender Cristhian Mosquera. This urgency coincides with their challenging LaLiga match against Valencia at Mestalla, a venue notorious for being difficult for the Madrid giants.
The colchoneros have found themselves struggling to regain their form this season, having secured only one win since the beginning of 2025—against Real Mallorca at home. Recent draws with Villarreal, Real Madrid, and Celta de Vigo have seen them relinquish their spot at the top of the LaLiga table to FC Barcelona, who recently secured victory against Rayo Vallecano.
Last season, Atlético’s performance against Valencia was disheartening, suffering a 3-0 thrashing at home. The upcoming encounter brings renewed pressure as new players are reportedly being targeted by Atlético, igniting hope for fans who expect improvements on and off the pitch.
While Atlético has explored Valencia’s roster, the focus has centered on Guerra and Mosquera. The potential signing of Guerra has been particularly significant, as coach Diego Simeone has expressed interest since last summer. Despite attempts to secure the midfielder, negotiations hit deadlock due to Valencia's steep asking price of 25 million euros plus conditional clauses—which Atletico deemed excessive.
Valencia has undergone coaching changes, with Carlos Corberán taking the helm, revitalizing the squad and moving them away from the relegation zone. Guerra, who recently regained his starting position, already boasts experience against Atlético, having scored during last season's home game align with confidence to face the colchoneros this weekend.
“We know what we can do against them,” Guerra noted, based on previous performances, but his availability for the match is uncertain due to recent training disruptions from fatigue. This has only reignited Atlético’s interest, as they seek to reinforce their midfield options.
Simultaneously, Mosquera has emerged as another player of intrigue for Atlético's defensive line amid negotiations focused on other players like Witsel and Azpilicueta potentially leaving the club. His skill set fits well within the team’s growing roster needs as they look to bolster their defense.
Historically, Atlético Madrid has seen multiple successful player transactions with Valencia, from Luciano Vietto to Gabriel Paulista. This relationship between the two clubs could be advantageous as negotiations for these young talents ramp up.
With the match looming, Simeone is cautious, not underestimaying Valencia’s renewed vigor. “We have analyzed their recent games,” he stated, acknowledging their tactical organization and intensity under Corberán’s leadership. “They are different from months ago.”
Atlanta Madrid is also facing scrutiny from fans after their wrongfully generous offers did not yield results. Though the team proclaims confidence heading to Mestalla, their recent inconsistencies make this match extremely challenging against the backdrop of possible transfers and contract negotiations.
While the immediate focus remains on the game at hand, it is evident Atlético is preparing for what lies beyond—the summer transfer market is just around the corner, and Guerra and Mosquera are at the forefront of their scouting efforts.
Whether successful or not, both players’ performances against Atlético this Saturday could influence their futures at Valencia and potentially seal their fates with Atlético, as they continually monitor player situations amid upcoming negotiations.
With both clubs having mutual interests at stake, the tension between securing league points and plotting player acquisitions adds layers of strategy to what is already bound to be an exciting match.
Indeed, with only so much to secure during the current season, Atlético seeks not just three points at Mestalla, but also hopes for their targets and negotiations. The clash will be far more than just gamesmanship—both player potentials and league positions are on the line, making it pivotal for Atlético’s ambitions.