Scouting Atletico Madrid Transfer Target Edinson Cavani

Atletico Madrid are on the lookout for reinforcements this summer after falling just short in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in 2015-16, losing the latter in a penalty shootout and finishing just three points off title winners Barcelona in league play.

One of their main priorities has to be a new centre-forward, bringing the goals to the team that Jackson Martinez failed to last season and that have clearly been the most lacking aspect of the team compared to Spain's two biggest clubs.

The most recent reports out of Spanish media suggest Alvaro Morata is on the wanted list, per Isaac Suarez of Marca, but with the complex arrangement in place between Juventus, his club, and Real Madrid, with a buyback clause and Atletico's biggest rivals, it seems unlikely Spain's likely starting striker at UEFA Euro 2016 will be at the Vicente Calderon next term.

Others on the list include Diego Costa and Edinson Cavani, and with Atleti centre-back Diego Godin admitting he has spoken to Cavani "several times" about a possible move during an interview with Cope (via David Manuca of Goal), it's the Uruguayan forward who appears most likely to sign.

Strengths

For a player as well-known and long-established as Cavani, there's perhaps little value in a detailed report of what he's good at and where he's lacking, but it's certainly fair to suggest parts of his game would appeal greatly to manager Diego Simeone.

The work rate and non-stop athleticism of the forward are notable talents, both a requirement of any player who wants to be a success under the Argentinian boss. Cavani covers prodigious amounts of ground for both club and country, though Paris Saint-Germain have often opted to play him from the flank to make use of that endeavour, something the forward himself would rather see change.

Cavani has always considered himself a striker and has not featured often for PSG in that role.

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He was reported as telling Telefoot (h/t Vaishali Bhardwaj of the Evening Standard) that he planned to discuss his future with the club over a lack of game time, and there's no question he'd be seen as the No. 1 centre-forward at Atletico were he to move.

Cavani's power, aerial prowess and strike record—25 last season, over 100 goals for Napoli and 32 at international level—are all facets of his game that divide opinion but, ultimately, make him an attractive proposition for managers who require someone to lead the line with gusto and goals.

Perfect Tactical Fit?

Atletico don't just need a goalscorer. They have money. They could bid for the top scorer from every major league if they wanted to; like every transfer for every club, though, there are certain criteria to be met, and simply picking the biggest source of goals isn't going to lead to a successful resolution—as was the case with Jackson.

The two main systems for Los Rojiblancos are 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, with the former being the most frequent starting formation and Simeone opting to switch during the game depending on how he needs to manage the flow of the match.

As a starting striker in a 4-4-2, Fernando Torres was superb in the last three months of the season, but beforehand—for several years—he had not flourished in such a manner, and there's little chance of Atleti relying on him to reproduce March and April's form throughout a whole season.

Cavani would bring a whole lot more consistency in performance level, better hold-up play and a superior scoring record from recent seasons—even if finishing wouldn't always be listed among his top characteristics.

Cavani holds a high position centrally when used as a main striker, giving an out-ball behind the defence or aerially, as well as drawing defensive attention away from a strike partner, which in Atletico's case would be Antoine Griezmann.

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The French forward, top scorer at the club in both his seasons at the Calderon, is phenomenally talented but needs space to operate in when used as the second forward. He has had quiet spells, and Atletico have often not had others step up and provide additional firepower in his absence.

From a 4-3-3 perspective, Cavani fits the bill even more.

His channel work is unrivalled, being happy to draw defenders out of position, attack the far post and run the ball toward the byline thanks to his years of playing on the flank.

Atletico have added Nico Gaitan to their repertoire of wide threats, with Koke and Yannick Carrasco as other options—not to mention Griezmann. It's not difficult to envisage Simeone being attracted to having a forward such as Cavani in place centrally given he can work in wider areas, rotate positionally and work selflessly for others, allowing Griezmann and Gaitan to attack opposition defences from wide.

Keeping Cholo

And that's the real crux of the matter: taking Simeone's vision and making it a reality.

The head coach of Atleti was so close to double glory this season that losing out on both has naturally had an impact on him, and there are still no assurances from Simeone he will continue as boss next season—though Luis Aznar of Marca reported the club expects him to remain in place.

Even so, that will be on the condition that top additions are made and he is able to prepare the team to go full tilt at Real and Barca next season.

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Simeone's system, just as much as his character and personality, is to thank for Atletico's ongoing ability to challenge for Spanish football's biggest prizes, and he is performing admirably to even keep pace with one of the greatest sides seen at club level in Luis Enrique's Barcelona.

He wants more, though. Silverware is what matters when the season draws to a close, and Atletico ended the most recent campaign with nothing to show for their efforts.

A striker isn't the only addition the squad needs, but it is the most pressing requirement and the most obvious upgrade to make. Cavani makes sense from a tactical and quality perspective, and although Atletico would have to fork out a huge sum to bring him from PSG, the cost of not signing him—the cost of losing Simeone—could be far greater.

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