(Football news) Atletico Madrid have their Kieran Trippier replacement who left six months ago for Newcastle United. Despite the arrival of Daniel Wass in the January transfer window, there was little pretence from anyone that he was anything more than a temporary solution in the right-back position and injury kept him from being a regular also. Udinese’s Nahuel Molina is about to sign for Atletico as the 24-year-old will move to Madrid in a deal that involves cash and the exchange of Nehuen Perez, who spent last season on loan in Udinese.

Reports began to emerge about interest from Atleti in April, with Molina putting in an impressive performance against Italy in the Finnalissima, in Serie A last season he scored 7 goals and gave 5 assists from defence. He has cemented the right-back spot for Argentina under Lionel Scaloni. If he could replicate that same presence down the right it would go a long way to ensuring Atletico Madrid have a better season this time round. With the likes of Sime Vrsaljko leaving and muffling the best talents of Marcos Llorente by playing him right back last season, the position became a new problem for the whole formation.

He is a former Boca Juniors product, Molina is a fast and dynamic defender who can play in a line of three or a line of four. Simeone has shifted between the 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 formations over the past two seasons but hasn't had a dynamic right back over the years. Atlético’s right side could be very explosive if Molina links up with Marcos Llorente, who suffered through a goalless season in 2021/22 without having a proper right back behind him. Atlético are suffering from salary cap issues that have been well-publicised this summer, so it remains to be seen if any further moves need to be made beyond Pérez in order to nudge Molina’s signing over the line. 

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