Atlético de Madrid started a new season and nothing has gone the best way for the 'colchonero' team after their league debut against Espanyol with a 2-1 defeat at the RCDE Stadium.
In that sense, one of the biggest drawbacks for the Madrid team is the discontent of Alexander Sorloth, who, according to the latest rumors, has asked to leave the 'rojiblanco' team in this summer market. Thus, the '9' could enter the orbit of FC Barcelona for the summer of 2026, if he does not leave Atlético in this window
This situation would have arisen after the Norwegian center forward entered the field for only 8 minutes against the 'blanquiazul' team, also considering that Julián Álvarez is the owner of the center of the attack.
In addition to this, Diego Pablo Simeone opted at 68' to give entry to Antoine Griezmann and Giacomo Raspadori, newly arrived, before looking for accommodation for the Scandinavian, who entered at 82' to replace 'La Araña'.
Sorloth, between muscle discomfort and anger with Atlético de Madrid
In this context, the player comes from presenting a muscle contracture that kept him away from the group for two days before the start of LaLiga 2025/26 for Atlético de Madrid.
At this point and with the desire to succeed in the 'colchonero' team, the '9' planned to start the season being a protagonist, so the scenario that the 'Cholo' only allowed him to be on the field for 8 minutes would have made the player rethink his situation.
It should be noted that Alexander Sorloth is Álvarez's replacement in that center forward position, but he believes he is just as important as the Argentine.
Thus, before the match against Espanyol, the player was aware that he would not start, but that Raspadori and Griezmann entered before him, apparently, was something that discouraged him much more.
Alexander Sorloth, secondary option on Barça's agenda
In case the 29-year-old player enters the radar of the azulgrana team for the next summer market, he would not be one of the first options for which the club would launch, since both Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak are contemplated, in case of continuing at Newcastle United, and his teammate, Julián Álvarez.
Of course, the '9' has great physical power, good aerial play and an acceptable left-footed shot, but the Camp Barça aims higher and, before making Sorloth a possible priority, they would have to rule out other options that the sports management considers better.
Atlético sets conditions for Sorloth's departure
In this order of ideas, Atlético de Madrid would be willing not to prevent the player's desire, as long as the team that wants to acquire his services presents an offer of around 35 million euros to at least sit down to negotiate.
The '9' has a contract with Atlético until 2028 and a valuation of 25 'kilos' in Transfermarkt, a price that is far from what is demanded by the 'rojiblanca' board.
Likewise, another condition to allow his departure, less than two weeks before the closing of the summer market, is to be able to close an incorporation that acts as a replacement for Julián, that is, that takes the role that the Norwegian has, for now.
Among the players related to Atlético is Dusan Vlahovic, who would be very popular in the offices of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. However, for the moment, neither a possible arrival of the Serbian nor the departure of Alexander Sorloth would be close to materializing.
It remains to be seen if the position of the former Real Sociedad player does not change in the next few hours, especially considering the fact that they would have a very difficult time arriving with immediate prominence to a new team. Although in the 2024/25 season he scored 24 goals in 52 games, not bad for being the replacement for 'La Araña', right?