Atletico Madrid is looking to address significant problems in their squad during the upcoming transfer window, particularly on the left side of their defense and midfield. Despite a big spending spree last summer, Diego Simeone’s team has struggled to find consistency in these positions, with several players failing to impress.

The left side has been a problem area for Atleti in recent months, with Javi Galan, Reinildo Mandava, Samuel Lino, and Conor Gallagher all being deployed there without much success. In Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg defeat to Barcelona, Simeone even trialed his son Giuliano Simeone as a left-sided midfielder, but ultimately substituted him at halftime.

Atleti has decided to prioritize signing a new left-back, which puts Reinildo’s future at the club in doubt since his contract expires at the end of the season. The club is also eyeing Alex Baena, a playmaker from Villarreal, to fix the problems in left midfield. Baena is expected to be available this summer, but Atleti will need to meet Villarreal’s valuation.

Atleti has already started making preparations for a summer move for Baena, but they will face stiff competition from Premier League clubs. The club’s transfer plans could also be complicated by the potential cost of signing a new left-back. Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras has been linked to Atleti in recent weeks, but he may be out of their price range.

The signings of Baena and a new left-back would be a significant boost to Atleti’s squad, addressing two of the team’s most pressing issues. With the Copa del Rey exit and a challenging La Liga schedule ahead, Simeone will be looking to strengthen his team during the summer transfer window.

Atleti’s transfer plans will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike as the club looks to rebuild and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. With Baena and a new left-back potentially joining the team, Atleti could be set for a busy summer of transfer activity.