Calling True or False on 4 Recent Atletico Madrid Transfer Rumours

Atletico Madrid have already been very active in this summer's transfer market, having been involved in both the buying and selling of high-profile players. 

The capture of Jackson Martinez is undoubtedly Atleti's most notable piece of business, but he will also be joined at the Vicente Calderon by Luciano Vietto and Yannick Carrasco. 

The acquisition of that trio has been vitally important, given that the club has lost Mario Mandzukic, Arda Turan, Toby Alderweireld and Miranda. 

Yet Atleti's summer business appears far from over, with Los Colchoneros still linked with a number of transfer rumours. 

Across the following slides, we examine those rumours and give our verdict on each. 

Rumour: Filipe Luis to Return from Chelsea

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Atletico Madrid have long been reported to be interested in bringing Filipe Luis back to the Vicente Calderon, after losing the Brazilian to Chelsea last summer. 

This week, Atleti president Enrique Cerezo confirmed the club had begun negotiations with the west London outfit over the left-back, per BBC Sport: 

"

There are negotiations in place but I don't know how fruitful they will be. 

We would be delighted if he comes back and I think that in the end, we will find a solution.

As always, the financial aspect takes precedence over the sentimental aspect but I believe a deal can be reached.

"

Verdict: True

The left-back position was a problematic area for Atletico Madrid throughout the 2014-15 season. Amid Guilherme Siqueira's form struggles and Cristian Ansaldi's injury issues, Diego Simeone was often forced to use right-back Jesus Gamez as a makeshift option on the left with varying degrees of success. 

As such, it's easy to see Atletico pushing hard to resolve that problem, and bringing back Luis would be a logical option given that he's experienced and well-versed in Simeone's methods. 

Chelsea, of course, will want to recoup most of the £15.8 million they forked out for the Brazilian last summer, but given that Luis has been unable to displace Cesar Azpilicueta in Jose Mourinho's lineup, one senses the Blues will be willing to negotiate.

Rumour: Mario Suarez-Stefan Savic Swap Deal with Fiorentina

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Among the players remaining at the Vicente Calderon, midfielder Mario Suarez appears to be among the most likely to depart. 

According to Marca, Atleti, in their pursuit of a central defender to replace Miranda, are interested in completing a swap deal with Fiorentina that would see Suarez head to Serie A in exchange for centre-back Stefan Savic:

"

Everything would seem to fit perfectly for a swap deal, although obviously both players will have a say. While Savic's opinion is common knowledge - he would love to make the move to Madrid - things are not quite as clear-cut when it comes to Mario, even though the Spanish midfielder has been heavily linked with a switch to Serie A over recent months.

Atlético are willing to bend over backwards to make a deal happen, despite Mario having two years left on his contract, in order to secure Savic on the cheap. A €15 million fee had been quoted for the Montenegro international.

"

Verdict: True

Though Savic isn't Atletico's preferred option—AS report that Monaco's Aymen Abdennour is the player Atleti like the most—the Montenegrin might be the most realistic option for Simeone and Co. 

Monaco are notoriously tough negotiators, and the Ligue 1 outfit hasn't been reported to be interested in any of Atletico's players that might help facilitate a deal.

Thus, Spanish club might be forced to turn its attention to Savic, with the chances of a deal higher given Fiorentina's interest in Suarez, who has seen his prominence diminish at the Vicente Calderon in recent seasons.

Rumour: Thiago Motta to Return to the Vicente Calderon

David Vincent/Associated Press

Thiago Motta has a long history of spending time at Europe's elite clubs, having completed stints at Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. 

But after three-and-a-half seasons with the latter in the French capital, Motta, now 32 and entering the final 12 months of his contract, could be one to move this summer. 

Recently, Motta told Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sky Sports) that he feels it's time to move on from PSG:

"

I get the impression that a cycle is coming to an end for me. I have given and received so much.

It would be more comfortable to stay, but I wouldn't be honest with myself, nor the club, which I have grown to love.

It's not a question of money, but of motivation.

"

Motta added that he'd relish the challenge of returning to both Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, citing Atleti's competitiveness with Real Madrid and Barcelona as a motivating factor. 

Verdict: True

Given that Diego Simeone already has Gabi and Tiago available to him as experienced midfielders, the addition of a 32-year-old midfielder might appear unnecessary to some. But the club, according to Marca, has always intended on strengthening its central stocks this summer but must do so on the cheap following the signings of Jackson Martinez, Luciano Vietto and Yannick Carrasco. 

Motta might also be considered an upgrade on the reliable but unspectacular pair of Gabi and Tiago based on his vision and passing skills—attributes that could possibly add fluency to Atletico from central midfield. 

At the moment no bids have been lodged, but Marca insists Atleti "are waiting for him with open arms."

Rumour: Guilherme Siqueira to Depart

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

After a difficult maiden season at Atletico Madrid, Guilherme Siqueira has been at the centre of transfer speculation linking him with a move away from the Vicente Calderon this summer. 

On several occasions, Marca has indicated the Brazilian left-back is up for sale, with Atleti hoping bids will come in for the former Granada defender:

"

Although the circumstances surrounding Mario Suárez and Guilherme Siqueira are different, the common denominator is that both could leave Atlético this summer. Indeed, the club is operating on the basis that this will happen sooner or later.

"

Verdict: False

Though Atletico Madrid would like to part ways with Siqueira, doing so in a way that satisfies the club might be difficult to achieve. 

Naturally, Atletico will be reluctant to let the left-back go for a paltry figure just 12 months after spending €10 million to sign him. And given that Siqueira endured a troublesome season in 2014-15, it's unlikely a rival club will give Atleti the chance to recoup the vast majority of that sum. 

Additionally, even if Atleti were to re-sign Filipe Luis, selling Siqueira would leave Los Colchoneros with just one left-back, given that Emiliano Insua has already been sold to Stuttgart. Does the club really want to search for two left-backs in the one window? Probably not. 

Thus, Siqueira could easily stay and be forced into a backup role if Luis does eventually return from Chelsea.