Atletico Madrid barely spent any summer last summer, with Javi Galan (cash plus Manu Sanchez) and Samu Omorodion being the only players to arrive with a transfer fee included. Caglar Soyuncu and Cesar Azpilicueta both arrived on free transfers, although it wasn’t for the lack of trying that Atleti’s spending was so low.
It’s been stated by the Premier League commission’s official report on Nottingham Forest, who were handed a four-point deduction this week after breaking FFP rules, that Atleti submitted a €50m offer for Brennan Johnson last summer.
However, that was rejected, as Forest wanted €65m for the Welsh international winger. Another offer was not submitted, and Johnson would go on to join fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the final days of the summer transfer window.
🚨🤯 BREAKING: The Premier League commission official report states that Atletico Madrid made a €50m bid for Brennan Johnson at the end of June 2023 but Nottingham Forest asked for €65m. pic.twitter.com/6etdOztLQS
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 18, 2024
Johnson would have been a peculiar signing for Atletico Madrid, as he doesn’t directly fit into the system that Diego Simeone has played all season. The money saved has since been re-invested, with Arthur Vermeeren among those to join.