Moves Atletico Madrid Should and Should Not Make in the Summer Transfer Window

With a dramatic victory on penalties over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, Atletico Madrid kept their season alive and progressed into the quarter-finals of the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League. 

It was a pivotal victory for Diego Simeone's men, who have watched their title defence in La Liga fall away in recent weeks and were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Barcelona in January. Right now, the Champions League is Atleti's priority. 

But the slight decline this season—and it should be emphasised that it's only been slight—suggests Los Colchoneros still have some restructuring to do as they look to build another title-winning team without Diego Costa, Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and David Villa. 

Indeed, while Mario Mandzukic, Antoine Griezmann and Miguel Angel Moya have proved to be excellent signings, more reinforcements are required if Atletico wish to consistently challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona at the summit of Spanish football. 

In the following slides, we'll examine some of the moves Atleti should and shouldn't make in the coming summer transfer window. 

Do: Sign Santi Cazorla

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Sky Sports' Guillem Balague reported in February that Atletico Madrid had made an enquiry into the availability of Arsenal's Santi Cazorla, confident they can lure the Spaniard to the Vicente Calderon in the summer transfer window. 

Though Arsene Wenger has insisted Cazorla will remain at the Emirates Stadium, there are a number of factors boosting Atleti's hopes in this situation:

• At 30 years of age, Cazorla's next contract is likely to be the last substantial one of his career. Does he want to finish his career in London?
• Moving to Atletico is a chance to move home to Spain.
• Though Cazorla has represented a number of clubs in La Liga, Atletico would be his first opportunity on home soil to challenge for titles both domestically and in Europe.
• Arsenal have regularly been prepared to sell prominent players, provided the price is right.

The former Malaga and Villarreal star would give Diego Simeone another Arda Turan. 

Given that the Turk is essentially Atletico's only creative technician, Cazorla would provide a huge boost to Los Colchoneros' midfield, helping the team to establish more control centrally while also creating better chances for the forwards. 

If they can get him—and that's still a big "if"—Atleti must sign him. 

Do: Sign Edinson Cavani If Possible

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According to French newspaper L'Equipe, via Ian Holyman of ESPN FC, Diego Simeone has identified Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani as one of his top priorities this summer. 

In fact, L'Equipe's report goes as far as saying that Simeone has made the acquisition of the Uruguayan striker a condition for his own contract renewal at the Vicente Calderon. 

As reported by The Guardian, Simeone is close to reaching an agreement with the club regarding a contract extension, with the manager's sister and agent telling Spanish TV channel TVE: "The truth is we are going to have good news in the coming days. If the Atletico fans are happy today, they will be even happier in the next few days."

Whether or not that means Simeone's desire to pursue Cavani will be fulfilled by Atletico remains unclear. 

But, as explained by former Atletico striker Diego Forlan, Cavani would be a perfect fit for Simeone's preferred approach: counter-attacking.

According to Spanish radio network COPE, via ESPN FC, Forlan said:

"

It would be great... [Cavani is] a great striker and is in a great moment. I think his style is ideal for Atleti because he is a fast player, who likes to counter and likes spaces.

With the exception of [Mario] Mandzukic, Atletico have always been characterized by players in attack like [Fernando] Torres, [Sergio] Aguero, Diego Costa and [Radamel] Falcao.

"

With the striker currently playing out of position at PSG, Simeone might believe he can lure Cavani to Atletico and build a robust, counter-attacking side around him, like he did with Diego Costa. 

Don't: Gut the Midfield to Sign Cavani

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According to L'Equipe's report, Atletico Madrid might have to sell a number of their prized assets to fund a move for Edinson Cavani, with both Koke and Arda Turan listed as players who would potentially need to be sold.

If that's the case, Atleti should abort their pursuit of Cavani altogether, because gutting the midfield to purchase a striker won't enhance Diego Simeone's team at all.

Not only is Turan the creative hub of this Atletico outfit, but Koke, at just 23 and already a Spain international, stands as a possible cornerstone of the midfield for the next decade. 

We've already seen how ineffective Los Colchoneros can be without the pair this season. It was best illustrated by the anaemic display against Celta Vigo with Turan and Koke missing. 

If Cavani can be purchased at the right price, with his capture aided by selling one—or several—veterans such as Miranda, Miguel Angel Moya, Mario Suarez, Tiago or even Mario Mandzukic (who would be in direct competition with Cavani), then it's logical. 

But if Turan and Koke would need to be sold to do it, it's not worth it.

Do: Bring Back Filipe Luis

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According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, Atletico Madrid are monitoring the situation of Filipe Luis, possibly planning on bringing the Brazilian back to the Vicente Calderon after one season at Chelsea. 

Despite being one of Diego Simeone's outstanding players of 2013-14, Luis has struggled for first-team games at Stamford Bridge behind Cesar Azpilicueta and might view a move back to the Spanish capital as the next logical step if the current situation doesn't change. 

And for Atletico, bringing Luis back would make absolute sense. 

Indeed, Atleti have found their former left-back extremely difficult to replace this season, with Guilherme Siqueira enduring a difficult season and the on-loan Cristian Ansaldi consistently dogged by injury. 

As such, second-choice right-back Jesus Gamez has been forced to play out of position on the left side of defence a number times, just as he did against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. 

If Luis was reacquired by Atletico, Simeone would instantly have a more reliable back four. 

Do: Consider Offloading Some of the Veterans

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Though Atletico Madrid do appear to be in a phase of growth (it's explained here how Atletico are growing), the reality is that the club will still need to sell players to fund the purchases of Santi Cazorla, Edinson Cavani or Filipe Luis. 

Naturally, a number of the club's veterans will be some of the first players considered when looking at who needs to be moved on. 

In midfield, Tiago will be 34 when the summer arrives, while Gabi will turn 32 in July. At the back, Miranda turns 31 this year, Jesus Gamez turns 30 next month and Guilherme Siqueira will soon be 29. And with the gloves, Miguel Angel Moya is almost 31. 

If Cazorla, Cavani or Luis are to arrive—all of whom are veterans themselves—Simeone will have to let go of a number of his existing experienced heads. 

Sky Sports' Terry Gibson even believes striker Mario Mandzukic might be one of those to depart as his sale would easily generate the greatest return. And though it's lamentable, it appears logical, given Atleti's interest in Cavani.