Scouting Atletico Madrid Transfer Target Pedro Mosquera

With the January transfer window quickly approaching, many of Europe's clubs are considering their options for the new year and looking to bring in reinforcements, boosting their chances of achieving their respective aims for the campaign.

For some, it's avoiding relegation, while others will hope to push for European places. If Atletico Madrid, delve into the transfer market, they'll be doing so with the intention of adding quality to a fantastic squad which can contribute to their La Liga and the Champions League hopes.

There aren't many such players around—less so in January—but the injury to Tiago that has seen him ruled out until March with a broken leg has led to reports of a new midfielder arriving.

The newest name in the frame is Deportivo La Coruna's Pedro Mosquera, who La Voz de Galicia (h/t Mundo Deportivo, in Spanish) report is being watch by Atleti ahead of a bid next month.

"We're full"

While it would make sense that Atletico are keeping tabs on all options in case they need to make a quick move, we have to preface the report on Mosquera by acknowledging Atletico have consistently denied they are looking to bring in anybody new.

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Club president Enrique Cerezo spoke on Cadena Cope (h/t Mundo Deportivo, in Spanish) about how unless the coaches asked him for a particular reinforcement—which until now they hadn't done—there was nothing in the pipeline for January. Cerezo claimed the squad was full and there was no room for anybody additional.

With Matias Kranevitter set to arrive in midfield after the Club World Cup, his claims make sense.

Mosquera, analysing the Barcelona-Depor game for Radio 4G at the weekend (for which he was suspended) commented—as reported by Marca (in Spanish)—that his agent had not said anything to him regarding the potential move.

Mosquera

A 27-year-old central midfielder who plays at the heart of Depor's usual 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 systems, Mosquera came through the ranks at Real Madrid.

He was part of the Elche team which finished in 13th place in La Liga last term, but he left after the club were demoted for financial issues and joined Depor, where he has since played in every league game up until the draw with Barcelona.

While Atleti have been linked with others such as Jeremy Toulalan and Augusto Fernandez in midfield, Mosquera is seen as a "low-cost operation" thanks to his lower release fee, according to the Mundo Deportivo report.

The former Spain under-19 international is a combative player who protects the middle third and tends to hold his ground rather than surge forward in possession.

He is certainly more the holding type who moves in to directly confront his opponent and make a challenge rather than the more positionally aware, interceptions-based midfielder akin to Tiago.

Indeed, Mosquera ranks in the top five in La Liga for tackles per game with 4.1, per WhoScored.com, comparable with one of the names above: Celta Vigo's Augusto Fernandez.

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Pedro Mosquera of Deportivo la Coruña, rumoured transfer target of Atletico Madrid #DEP #ATM https://t.co/3QCYZ4X3F1

— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) December 16, 2015"

Mosquera is a diligent, though often safe, passer of the ball, who conscientiously ensures he is first of all in the right place to hold together the midfield. He'll look to break the lines with a deep pass into feet when possible, but he certainly isn't in the creative mould of Tiago in this regard.

If Atleti are looking for a much purer destroyer option than they have at present, Mosquera is along the right lines. But while he's a technically sound player, he isn't going to be sending passes toward the front two or three with regularity as he moves toward the final third in possession.

That said, his assist for Lucas Perez's breakaway goal against Rayo Vallecano shows that he does have the incisive edge to his game at times—but this is one of just two goals he has created this term, with the other (against Sporting Gijon) far more to do with the finish than his own circumstantial lay-off.

Impending ban?

With Saul coming into form after being given a chance, Koke heading back toward top gear and Gabi a constant presence in the middle of the park, Atletico do not have a huge urgency to sign a new midfielder, especially with Kranevitter on the horizon.

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The one area of concern they may have is a potential transfer ban akin to that of Barcelona. Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter told Mundo Deportivo (h/t AS) that Atletico and Real Madrid should both face similar sanctions "if found guilty of infringing FIFA rules on youth players."

With Atleti's squad packed with young talent and with the established stars showing no desire to leave, even that obstacle could be navigated with some dexterity by the club, and it would by no means push them toward quickly bulking up the squad with players who might not be at the required level.

Despite a step-up in performances this season, that includes Mosquera at this point and it seems unlikely Atleti would make a move for him next month—or, indeed, that Depor would want to sell.

Follow @karlmatchett