Manchester United registered an interest in Atletico Madrid forward Giuliano Simeone during the 2026 summer transfer window, according to reports from TEAMtalk. The 23-year-old, who has established himself as a prominent figure at the Metropolitano, was also the subject of enquiries from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur prior to the start of the current campaign. While those initial approaches did not lead to a formal transfer, the Premier League trio continue to monitor the Argentine’s situation as they assess potential attacking reinforcements. Atletico Madrid, however, currently view the player as a core member of their squad and have resisted these exploratory moves, maintaining that his role remains central to their project.
Premier League interest and tactical profiles
The competition for Simeone’s signature is notably broad, with multiple clubs in England surveying his availability. Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is understood to be a significant admirer of the forward, attracted by his tactical utility and high-energy playing style. De Zerbi’s interest follows a challenging start to the domestic season for the North London club, which has struggled to find consistency in front of goal. Tactical analysts often highlight Simeone’s pressing intensity and positional versatility—he is comfortable operating as a central striker or in wider attacking roles—as attributes that align well with the demands of top-tier English football.
Former Alavés coach Luis Garcia, who managed the forward during his loan spell, has previously described the Argentine as “a pain” to play against, citing his capacity to sustain physical intensity for 90 minutes and his ability to create scoring chances from minimal service. This work rate is a primary driver of the interest from both Manchester clubs and Tottenham, as teams look for attackers capable of functioning within high-pressing systems.
Atletico Madrid retain control over forward's future
Any potential move for the forward currently faces substantial hurdles, both logistical and contractual. Simeone signed an extension in January 2026 that ties him to Atletico Madrid until 2030, a commitment that grants the Spanish club significant leverage in any future negotiations. Furthermore, the dynamic of the player being managed by his father, Diego Simeone, adds a layer of complexity; the forward has publicly expressed his satisfaction in Madrid and has shown no indication that he is seeking a departure. Atletico’s position appears firm: they have communicated to interested parties that a sale would not be sanctioned due to his importance to the team.
Defensive reinforcements remain priority for Manchester United
For Manchester United, any pursuit of an attacking player like Simeone would mark a significant shift from their stated strategic priorities under manager Michael Carrick. Following a summer window that saw the arrival of players including Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Karl Darlow, the club’s recruitment focus has remained heavily weighted toward shoring up defensive gaps. A new left-back remains the primary objective for the leadership team following an unsuccessful attempt to sign Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall during the summer.
Carrick’s ability to pivot toward a deal for an attacker is contingent on generating the necessary budget, which would almost certainly require the departure of current squad members. Joshua Zirkzee, who was linked with a move to Serie A during the previous window, remains a candidate for such an exit. Until the club creates financial space and addresses the defensive roster, any interest in players of Simeone’s profile remains preparatory rather than actionable.
Performance and data context
The TransferNews database records that Giuliano Simeone returned to Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis on June 30, 2024, following successful loan spells at Real Zaragoza and Deportivo Alavés. Since cementing his place in the senior squad, the 23-year-old has established himself as a regular starter. He has featured in seven of the club’s nine matches across all competitions this season, contributing two goals and two assists in eight La Liga appearances. With his current contract running until 2030, Atletico maintain absolute control over any potential market activity. United, City, and Tottenham continue to monitor his progress, though any approach in the coming months would necessitate that the club weighs such an investment against immediate squad rationalisation and ongoing defensive requirements before the 2027 window opens.
