ATLETICO MADRID’S transfer ban will have a knock-on effect throughout European football.
The Rojiblancos have been a club which, in recent seasons, has sold its best players only to some of the best teams in Europe.
Barcelona, Manchester United, Man City, Monaco and Chelsea are among those who count a former Atletico star as a key player.
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As Diego Simeone will not be able to bring anyone in this summer, he is unlikely to let important men leave, knowing he can’t bring in a replacement.
The effects will reverberate around Europe — but how?
First of all, United looked certain to secure a deal for Antoine Griezmann, who was keen on a move.
But, now the Red Devils must match his release clause and test the Frenchman’s loyalty.
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Should he refuse a move to Old Trafford, it could give Zlatan Ibrahimovic a reprieve.
The Swede’s agent, Mino Raiola, had indicated the player wanted to stay at United.
Ibra could still make move to the MLS if Jose Mourinho decides to follow up his pursuit of Everton’s Romelu Lukaku — who is considered the vice-Griezmann.
Ronald Koeman sees Malaga striker, Sandro as a potential replacement for the freescoring Belgian.
Lukaku is also seen as a potential replacement for Diego Costa at Chelsea — but the Spanish striker revealed the only side he’d leave the Blues for is Atletico.
Simeone appeared relatively happy to let Griezmann go, with Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette lined up as a replacement.
The Lyon ace had made clear his desire to leave Ligue 1 for the Spanish capital.
However, that will not be happening this summer, clearing the way for Arsene Wenger to pounce.
But the possibility of bringing in a top striker means there’s less pressure to persuade Alexis Sanchez to go — and the possibility of the striker joining Bayern Munich looks even higher now.
Arsenal will not pay over the odds to keep the former Barcelona star when Lacazette is more of a possibility.
Meanwhile, there will also be huge repercussions across Europe at the other end of the field.
With Real Madrid keen on either David De Gea or Thibaut Courtois, United and Chelsea had lined up Jan Oblak as a potential replacement.
But, Atletico — who had been looking at Pepe Reina in the case of losing the talented Slovenian — will not let their No.1 leave now.
Yannick Carrasco and Saul Niguez were another two players on the radar of Europe’s big boys, but the pair will not leave this summer.
Meanwhile, City’s £44m bid for Lucas would have been accepted had the ban been quashed.
And fellow central, Jose Gimenez, had also been on the radar of United — but he will stay in Madrid for another season at least.
It’s worth remembering that this Atletico team reached the Copa del Rey and Champions League semi-finals, and is still considered among the best in the world.
But, they have ambitions to win the biggest trophies and would have wanted to keep on improving.
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