Atletico Madrid have found Alvaro Morata's replacement! Diego Simeone plots move for Niclas Fullkrug as striker wants Borussia Dortmund exit

Posted Sunday, July 21, 2024 by Goal.com

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is ready to turn to Borussia Dortmund's Niclas Fullkrug as his replacement for Alvaro Morata.

Atletico eyeing Fullkrug move
Striker keen on Dortmund exit
Morata has joined AC Milan

WHAT HAPPENED?

Morata's exit has left Atletico with a hole to fill up front, and Simeone believes Fullkrug could be his new No. 9. According to AS, the Germany international is unhappy with Dortmund's signing of Serhou Guirassy, which might make a move easier for Los Rojiblancos to pull off.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fullkrug moved to Dortmund last summer for €15 million (£13m/$16m) and went on to score 12 goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances. Far from clinical in front of goal, but he showed he's a player that fits Simeone's style at the Euros, coming on off the bench in all five Germany games to trouble defenders with his physicality. He also scored twice in the tournament.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dortmund could fetch around €30m (£25m/$33m) by selling Fullkrug. That would represent a pretty decent investment for the German club, with Guirassy, who scored 28 goals in 28 league games for Stuttgart last season, arriving for just €17.5m (£15m/$19m).

WHAT NEXT FOR ATLETICO MADRID?

It's clear that signing a new striker is a priority for Simeone. It has been reported that they are interested in Manchester City's Julian Alvarez, although it would take a considerable amount of money to convince the Premier League champions to sell the 24-year-old.