Santiago Mourino is enjoying a terrific season at Deportivo Alaves, a fact that was on full show when Atletico Madrid, his previous club, observed his skill firsthand this past Saturday at Mendizorroza.  The 23-year-old Uruguayan defender showed brightly against the Rojiblancos, a team who traded him last summer for two million euros.

 Atletico found it challenging to restrict Mourouno’s skills, as evidenced by his remarkable 95.1% pass accuracy, seven clearances, two tackles, and authoritative presence on the field, which included a heated dispute with former teammates.

Alaves signed him after he spent the previous season on loan at Real Zaragoza, and he has since emerged as a vital member of the team.  He has established himself as a consistent starter under coach Chacho Coudet, playing in 22 La Liga games with the blue and whites this season.

Atletico Madrid has been keeping an eye on Mourino at the Metropolitano all season long.  There is increasing agreement that the defender would rejoin the team if the buyback option were to be activated in the summer.  Atletico would have to pay three million euros for this move, which is one million more than they did for him in August of last year.

 Preseason training will resume for Mourino under the close supervision of Diego Simeone, who has expressed admiration for his performance.  With the option to include him in future transfer transactions open, the club will then determine whether to keep him in the team or transfer him for a substantially higher price than the buyback option, depending on the state of the market.