Atlético Madrid have found their No. 9. Jonathan David has given his approval to a loan move from Juventus, the two clubs have reached a verbal agreement, and Fabrizio Romano has already done his thing. This one is done.
Mateu Alemany had a clear target and a workable structure — loan with an option to buy — and he got it over the line before the window slammed shut. The final sticking point was David's salary, roughly $12 million and the highest at Juventus. Atlético won't cover the full amount, and apparently that was enough of a compromise to unlock the move.
What David brings — and what the Serie A numbers don't show
The obvious concern is last season. Eight goals in Serie A for a striker who spent five years lighting up Ligue 1 is the kind of drop-off that makes clubs hesitate. Between 2020 and 2025 at Lille, David scored 109 goals and added 31 assists across 232 matches — three consecutive seasons of 25 or more goals. That's elite, consistent production.
One underwhelming year in Turin doesn't erase that. Juventus weren't exactly a free-flowing attacking side last season, and David's movement was often starved of the service he thrived on at Lille. Atlético's system, with its vertical pressing and direct transitions, is arguably a better fit for what he actually does.
Simeone has wanted a reliable finisher all summer. Now he has one — at least until June.
The Sørloth question lingers
There's a subplot worth watching. Alexander Sørloth officially isn't going anywhere — Atlético consider him untouchable. But the Norwegian hasn't been the main striker in Madrid, and he wants to be exactly that somewhere. Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has spent the entire summer trying to sign him.
If Sørloth exits in the next 48 hours, Atlético will move for another forward immediately. If Álvaro Morata's replacement situation is still unresolved anywhere upstream in this chain, the window could end with another late scramble.
- David: 109 goals, 31 assists in 232 matches at Lille (2020–2025)
- Three straight seasons: 26, 26, and 25 goals
- Juventus season: 8 goals — his lowest return in five years
- Deal structure: loan with option to buy, salary split between clubs
For Atlético's title odds, adding David matters more than the loan label suggests. A striker of his caliber — even at 70% of his Lille output — gives Simeone's side a genuine cutting edge they've lacked since Morata left. The Metropolitano just got a lot more dangerous to visit.
