Who Should Be Atletico Madrid's Priority in Contract Talks?

Challenging for honours in both La Liga and the Champions League, Atletico Madrid face a common twofold problem for top sides: keeping players focused on the competitions at hand but also rewarding their stars and ensuring continuity by agreeing new long-term contracts.

For some, it's no issue; professional pride—or maybe just agents to handle everything—will ensure they keep playing well and working hard while the paperwork is sorted, but any media rumours surfacing of potentially interested clubs can always throw a curveball into proceedings.

Atleti have this week managed to secure one piece of business of paramount importance: a new long-term deal signed by first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak, one of Europe's finest and now tied to the club until 2021, per Marca. He's just one of several who have been in line for renewals, so now that the No. 1 is wrapped up, who should be the big priority for Los Rojiblancos to keep at the Vicente Calderon for an equally long period?

Young Guns

Looking at the available data on Atleti's squad's expiring contracts, the big positive in the team's favour is that the younger talent they have are already tied down for at least the next two seasons. It's not a hugely long time—especially in modern football, when anything less than 24 months to run on a deal is seen as starting to reduce their transfer value—but it's at least a starting point.

There are still a few who could be top players in their respective positions, however, who need to be tied down for longer.

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Oliver Torres has two years left after this season, as does Josema Gimenez. In 2019, all three of Lucas Hernandez, Koke and Angel Correa are set to expire. In the case of Correa and Gimenez, it's worth noting that both signed new contracts in January, but these were merely to raise their salaries and release clauses rather than to extend the length of either deal.

As Oblak's was to prolong his stay at the Vicente Calderon, it's reasonable to think that both Gimenez and Correa, as well as Oliver, may soon be in line for new new ones.

One further huge bonus for Atletico was Saul signing his new contract last year, up until 2020.

Experienced Heads

Diego Simeone's team isn't just about the kids, though; the more experienced options in his team are pivotal to both the self-belief of the side and the tactical deployment, especially in midfield.

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Tiago and Gabi are a regular midfield double pivot, but both could easily depart in the summer—though Marca report that Tiago, out of contract in June, is set for a new deal if he proves his fitness once his recovery from injury is assured. At age 34, it's likely to only be a one-year contract.

Fernando Torres' loan deal is up at the end of the season, and like Gabi, most of the 30-somethings of the squad—Jesus Gamez, Miguel Angel Moya, Juanfran—have at least another year left on their deals. Tiago's situation will likely become clear before the end of the season, but it doesn't make him a first pick to deal with next.

Prime Candidate

There's really only one choice: Gimenez must be the priority.

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The Uruguayan is a selfless and powerful, resolute and reliable face at the heart of the defence, pairing well with Diego Godin but also showing recently that he can still play to the same level and beyond without Godin in place.

It's rare to find a young centre-back as trustworthy and committed to the task as Gimenez is, and Atleti must do everything in their power to keep him tied down at the club; this summer, an extension would be both justified and well-timed to ensure he is contracted for more than the two years he'll have left. Gimenez can still become a much more complete defender. At age 21, he has a lot of growth left in his game, and although he is very much a safety-first player in terms of his defensive work, his technique and composure in possession is actually impressive.

He's one of the stars of the team by performance if not name, and another couple of seasons will put him at the forefront of Europe's finest. Everybody at the Calderon must be working toward ensuring that happens with him still wearing red and white stripes.

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