Change up top for Atlético

So after just one season Mario Mandzukic is leaving Atlético Madrid for Juventus. In many ways this isn't exactly a shock transfer. Mandzukic arrived as a replacement for Diego Costa and overall in his sole season in Spain the Croat didn't do that badly.
20 goals last season is a decent return but when your replacing a striker who got 36 it doesn't seem quiet as good. Nonetheless Mandzukic wasn't a flop signing. He was signed to lead the line from the top and he did quiet well. A competitive striker he did endure some bruising games particularly against Real Madrid but his competitive edge did help him adapt to the team..to a degree.

The style Atlético play is for everyone to fight for each other and that is something Diego Costa was very good at. While Costa had a dream season goalscoring wise he was also leading the line fiercely and suited the style of play very well. Mandzukic had to adapt and didn't fully do so hence the transfer.

So who replaces Mandzukic and where do Atlético go from here? Well they are signing a very promising striker in Luciano Vietto. The Argentine is signed for near on €20 million. Manager Simeone has managed Vietto before at Racing Club in Argentina and Villarreal clearly knew something when the stumped up €5.5 million for him last summer.
Vietto will offer Atlético some ice cool finishing as well as some much needed pace to the attack. Vietto has the potential to be the next world-class striker in the Atlético ranks.

Atlético are still in the hunt for another striker. They were heavily linked with Carlos Tévez but the Argentine seems destined for a return to Boca Juniors back home. Another South American striker does however seem to be on his way and that's Porto's Colombian hitman Jackson Martínez.
Scorer of 21 goals for Porto in the Liga Portugesa last season, Martínez has long been linked with a move away from Porto. The likes of Arsenal and recently AC Milan admiring the strength the Colombian has to offer. Signed for around €8 million from Mexican side Jaguares, Porto will make a massive profit yet again.

So what does the incoming strikers mean for the current contingent at the club. As mentioned above Mandzukic is gone and it's likely Léo Baptistao is following him out. The Brazilian is likely to join Villarreal on loan as part of the Vietto deal but with Villarreal having an option to buy next summer.
Mexican Raúl Jiménez is also likely to be going out on loan with Rayo a possible destination given the history between the two clubs.
Borja Bastón enjoyed a productive season on loan at Zaragoza in the Segunda and his destination is likely to be another loan move this time to a Primera división side. Ángel Correa is another young forward player who may be heading out on loan to get some valuable game time.

All this leaves Atlético with Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann, Vietto and possibly Martínez as their striking options for the new season. Not a bad selection in fairness.