DBasia.news – Atletico Madrid have managed to sell three players in the summer transfer market at high prices. The three players are: Lucas Hernandez, Rodri, and Antoine Griezmann.
The last name mentioned has not officially joined any club. However, Griezmann has expressed his intention to leave and he is certain he will not strengthen Atletico in the 2019-20 season.
While Hernandez was purchased for 80 million euros by Bayern Munich and Rodri 70 million euros to Manchester City. If Griezmann really leaves for Barcelona, he will give 120 million euros to Atletico. In total, Atletico received 270 million euros.
All three followed the exodus of Atletico players after Diego Diego, Juanfran and Filipe Luis had left, as their contract ended with the club. Instead of leaving the players, Atletico purchased Felipe, Hector Herrera, and Joao Felix.
Felix, 19, was purchased by redeeming his purchase clause of 126 million euros. Speaking of purchase clauses, Atletico may learn a lot from the way Athletic Club Bilbao regulates their finances with the policies and philosophies they have.
The Basque club has a philosophy that is absolute to the club and has been hereditary into tradition. In their squad, only Basque players, Basque-blooded foreigners, Basque-born foreign players, and foreign players and outside the Basque but have studied at the Bilbao academy, who can play at the club.
Bilbao is not stingy or has no money, however, that philosophy already exists in Bilbao from year to year. Check out the question from Andy Mitten, European football correspondent at The National, who asked the President of Bilbao, Josu Urrutia, about Bilbao philosophy.
“What does success mean for Bilbao?” Mitten asked Urrutia.
“It’s more than losing and winning. In Bilbao, success cannot be separated from the concept of identity and, therefore, relates to the club’s unique way of competing. Success is not a goal, like other teams, but also part of the journey.”
“Winning the Copa del Rey will be a huge success with our philosophy rather than winning the Champions League after bringing Lionel Messi. In fact, bringing Messi will be a big disaster, as we will stop being ourselves,” replied Urrutia.
The philosophy of developing Basque players in the Bilbao squad was balanced with the club’s policy in selling players. There has never been European clubs that could negotiate an offer if they were interested in bringing in a Bilbao player.
If they seriously want to recruit Bilbao players then they must redeem the purchase clause. Just look at how Bilbao sold Javi Martinez for 40 million euros to Bayern in 2012, then there was Aymeric Laporte who was purchased for 65 million euros by Manchester City.
Not to mention Kepa Arrizabalaga, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, at a price of 80 million euros, when Chelsea recruited him from Bilbao last year.
Bilbao’s way inspired Atletico to apply the same method. Lucas, Rodri, to Griezmann, were purchased based on their purchase clause. As a result, Atletico could spend it to bring Felipe and Joao Felix.
Fortunately, Atletico does not have a philosophy that is ingrained in Bilbao about players who can strengthen the squad. If not, they can be troubled if they can only use the services of the original Madrid players.