2009/10
John Heitinga --> Everton FC (£6 million)
Few can say they knew that the big Dutchman played for Atletico in the past. The centre back has recently retired, a man whose career never really took off and highlight included getting sent off in the World Cup Final. Heitinga was only in Spain for a year where he scored a remarkable 3 goals despite playing in defence before parting to Merseyside. Whilst Heitinga is not the most notable of departures however he epitomises the endless selling of everyone left, right and centre.
Success since: YES
Few can say they knew that the big Dutchman played for Atletico in the past. The centre back has recently retired, a man whose career never really took off and highlight included getting sent off in the World Cup Final. Heitinga was only in Spain for a year where he scored a remarkable 3 goals despite playing in defence before parting to Merseyside. Whilst Heitinga is not the most notable of departures however he epitomises the endless selling of everyone left, right and centre.
Success since: YES
2010/11
Jurado --> FC Schalke 04 (£9 million)
£9 million nowadays is far from an eye catching fee, yet six years ago this was a much more impressive fee. The attacking midfielder was hardly an astonishing player during his four years at Atletico with just 10 goals to his name in almost 100 appearances. Jurado's career barely improved from then onward, 3 goals in 50 Schalke caps tell us so. At this moment in time Jurado has just left Watford for Espanol, after 27 games Jurado failed to score for the Premier League club. Disappointment.
Success since: NO
2011/12
David De Gea --> Manchester United (£21 million)
Upon arrival at Manchester United De Gea was labelled an embarrassment by the Red Devils fanbase after a comical error against West Brom. Fast forwards 5 years and the Spaniard is undoubtedly the highest regarded and most valued keeper around ahead of the likes of Hart, Courtois and Cech. Furthermore De Gea is now Spain's number one ahead of the likes of Casillas, the 25 year old has flourished since parting Atletico and it's unsurprising he has drawn interest from Atletico's rivals Real Madrid.
Success since: YES
Upon arrival at Manchester United De Gea was labelled an embarrassment by the Red Devils fanbase after a comical error against West Brom. Fast forwards 5 years and the Spaniard is undoubtedly the highest regarded and most valued keeper around ahead of the likes of Hart, Courtois and Cech. Furthermore De Gea is now Spain's number one ahead of the likes of Casillas, the 25 year old has flourished since parting Atletico and it's unsurprising he has drawn interest from Atletico's rivals Real Madrid.
Success since: YES
Sergio Aguero --> Manchester City (£34 million)
From the league's best keeper to the most prolific striker, Aguero is a player admired by all (even Manchester United fans dare I say it!) Pace, control, aerial threat, movement and desire are all in abundance in the Argentine's locker, considering the little man was £1 million less than the pony-tailed monster that is Andy Carroll who Daglish transferred to Liverpool for £35 million back in 2011. Aguero is highly respected around, so much that he is the priciest player in Fantasy football, Manchester City will be hoping his real life value continues to sky rocket!
Success since: YES
Success since: YES
2012/13
Eduardo Salvio --> Benfica (£9 million)
Who? - Eduardo Salvio!
Who? - The Benfica Winger!
Many will not have heard of the 26 year old wide man given he makes his trade in the Portuguese LIGA NOS, which is shoveled beneath the popularity of the English, Spanish and German leagues.
The Argentinian's goal to game ratio has improved since switching Spain for Portugal, Salvio registers about a goal in every four games for the Portuguese champions.
Success since: YES
2013/14
Falcao --> Monaco (£37 million)
Falcao has certainly been around and about, he's played with the likes of River Plate, Porto, Madrid, Monaco, Manchester and even Chelsea. The Colombian has had possibly the World's most up and down career from the elation of scoring 4 against Chelsea for Atletico to a handful of embarrassing performances to awful injuries. Falcao's dismal performances for Manchester United were especially miserable given his loan wages were almost £6 million for a year! 4 goals in 26 games for the 30 year old was an atrocious return and he did no better for Chelsea the next season. Falcao has returned to Monaco however many feel the career of the man who was valued at £40 million is practically over.
Success since: NO
Success since: NO
2014/15
Diego Costa --> Chelsea (£32 million)
The Brazillian born but Spanish forward has seemingly become out of favour at Chelsea thanks to the introduction of Michy Batshuayi and links with a £60 million transfer for Lukaku. However it appears that Costa is to remain at Chelsea, he is a powerful asset for Conte, Costa is one of the most prolific strikers around so long as he is on the pitch! The 27 year old's goal to game ratio in Spain for Atletico was 0.45 compared to 0.60 at Chelsea implying Costa is a more clinical man at Chelsea. For how much longer though?
Success since: YES
The Brazillian born but Spanish forward has seemingly become out of favour at Chelsea thanks to the introduction of Michy Batshuayi and links with a £60 million transfer for Lukaku. However it appears that Costa is to remain at Chelsea, he is a powerful asset for Conte, Costa is one of the most prolific strikers around so long as he is on the pitch! The 27 year old's goal to game ratio in Spain for Atletico was 0.45 compared to 0.60 at Chelsea implying Costa is a more clinical man at Chelsea. For how much longer though?
Success since: YES
Filipe Luis --> Chelsea (£17 million)
Filipe Luis failed to impress at Chelsea and as a result the left back returned to Atletico Madrid last season. The Brazilian featured just 15 times for the Blues, he was ousted from the squad by the impressive Azpilicueta who put in some pulsating shifts at left back in 2014/15. Since rejoining Atletico Luis has been phenomenal as his no nonsense defending saw the club to a Champions League final in which the Atletico defence neutralised the enormous threats of Bale and Ronaldo.
Filipe Luis failed to impress at Chelsea and as a result the left back returned to Atletico Madrid last season. The Brazilian featured just 15 times for the Blues, he was ousted from the squad by the impressive Azpilicueta who put in some pulsating shifts at left back in 2014/15. Since rejoining Atletico Luis has been phenomenal as his no nonsense defending saw the club to a Champions League final in which the Atletico defence neutralised the enormous threats of Bale and Ronaldo.
Success since: NO (Chelsea) YES (Upon return to Atletico)
2015/16
Jackson Martinez --> GZ Evergrande (£36 million)
The Columbian striker is one of many to opt for a big money move to China (Pelle, Hulk) however the 29 has hardly flourished since, he's made just 5 appearances. Martinez arrived at Atletico in the summer transfer window yet was gone by the end of January after 2 goals in 15 caps for the Spanish team suggested he was not irreplaceable, especially with France's Griezmann in their line ups. A £36 million fee for such an average player must have had Simone licking his lips.
Success since: NO
The Columbian striker is one of many to opt for a big money move to China (Pelle, Hulk) however the 29 has hardly flourished since, he's made just 5 appearances. Martinez arrived at Atletico in the summer transfer window yet was gone by the end of January after 2 goals in 15 caps for the Spanish team suggested he was not irreplaceable, especially with France's Griezmann in their line ups. A £36 million fee for such an average player must have had Simone licking his lips.Success since: NO
Arda Turan --> Barcelona (£28 million)
The Turkish starlet was never going to displace the world class talents of Messi, Suarez or Neymar from the Barcelona squad, it's unsurprising that he's struggled for game time with a measly 18 caps to his name. The 29 year old attacking midfielder was clearly purchased to increase squad depth and provide cover for the majestic talents of Rakitic and Iniesta, however many feel that given his age the fee was rather extraordinary unlike the Turk's at times average performances.
Success since: NO
The Turkish starlet was never going to displace the world class talents of Messi, Suarez or Neymar from the Barcelona squad, it's unsurprising that he's struggled for game time with a measly 18 caps to his name. The 29 year old attacking midfielder was clearly purchased to increase squad depth and provide cover for the majestic talents of Rakitic and Iniesta, however many feel that given his age the fee was rather extraordinary unlike the Turk's at times average performances.
Success since: NO
Raul Jiminez --> Benfica (£9 million)
A transfer that perhaps sneaked under the radar, Jiminez, a striker by trade, was far from prolific in an Ateltico shirt. 1 goal in 21 appearances says it all! Once again it's remarkable how much money Ateltico received for such an uninspiring player, in fact Jiminez has only scored 5 for Benfica. Average. No wonder you hadn't heard of him!
Success since: NO
A transfer that perhaps sneaked under the radar, Jiminez, a striker by trade, was far from prolific in an Ateltico shirt. 1 goal in 21 appearances says it all! Once again it's remarkable how much money Ateltico received for such an uninspiring player, in fact Jiminez has only scored 5 for Benfica. Average. No wonder you hadn't heard of him!
Success since: NO
Mario Mandzukic --> Juventus (£16 million)
The Juventus giant is a nightmare for defenders to deal with, the equivalent of a Croatian Andy Carroll (minus the pony tail), is sure to provide goals and an outlet. The 30 year old has made the net bulge across Europe for the likes of Bayern, Atletico Madrid and Juventus, it's unsurprisng that such a clinical finisher and unique player has evoked interest from Barcelona. The striker scored 12 times for Atletico and 10 for Juventus each in one season, the forward in neither a flop nor outstanding. At £16 million the transfer was perhaps a bit too expensive however Mandzukic must be credited for keeping up his goalscoring where other Atletico strikers have failed (Falcao, Jiminez).
Success since: NO
The Juventus giant is a nightmare for defenders to deal with, the equivalent of a Croatian Andy Carroll (minus the pony tail), is sure to provide goals and an outlet. The 30 year old has made the net bulge across Europe for the likes of Bayern, Atletico Madrid and Juventus, it's unsurprisng that such a clinical finisher and unique player has evoked interest from Barcelona. The striker scored 12 times for Atletico and 10 for Juventus each in one season, the forward in neither a flop nor outstanding. At £16 million the transfer was perhaps a bit too expensive however Mandzukic must be credited for keeping up his goalscoring where other Atletico strikers have failed (Falcao, Jiminez).
Success since: NO
Toby Alderweireld --> Tottenham Hotspur (£13 million)
Alderweireld was out of favour at Atletico given the commanding presence of Godin and further centre back services of Miranda, Giminez and Savic. Alderweireld was loaned to Southampton the season before moving, the Belgium was an instant fan favourite on the south coast and unfortunately for Saints fans he drew interest from Tottenham. At 27 years of age the defender is yet to peak in spite of this he's one of the top defenders in the EPL, expect another team of the season performance from such a versatile player.Success since: YES
Total Major Sales: £267 million
For similar articles be sure to check out:
Does the selling ever stop: Southampton FC
Does the selling ever stop: Borussia Dortmund
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