Atleti face possible sanctions for exceeding 1st team expenditures

Atletico Madrid have one week to adhere to the spending limits set forth by the Spanish Professional Football League (LFP), or the reigning champions of La Liga could face a range of sanctions from the governing body.

Currently, the club’s first-team expenditures are above the limits permitted by the LFP. Should the Spanish side fail to rectify the issue, they could potentially be banned from making any new signings or face forced relegation (worst-case scenario).

Following the departures of Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Thiabout Courtois to Chelsea, Los Colchoneros have signed seven players to date during the summer transfer window.

According to the Spanish publication, Marca, Atletico’s spending cap for their squad – calculated based on the idea that it should not exceed 70% of relevant revenue – is approximately £79.5 million. However, some 10% of this is allocated for the academy and bonuses, while a further 10% is reserved for the coaching staff. This leaves the club with roughly £64 million to spend on annual wages, income tax, image rights and costs related to transfer fees.

That is why the Spanish champions will spend the next few days attempting to offload some players in order to reduce the wage bill at the club.

Speculation is defender Toby Alderweireld in on his way out of Vicente Calderon and could be heading to Sevilla in order to replace Federico Fazio, who is bound for Tottenham Hotspur. AS Monaco have also shown an interest in the former product of the Ajax youth academy.

Atletico are also looking at deals which could see Emanuel Insua and/or Cristian Rodriguez leave the club. Insua has been linked with a switch to West Ham United, while Rodriguez had previously been targeted by Sunderland.

Should Atletico complete the transfers of at least two of these players, it would be enough to satisfy LFP’s limits and prevent any sanctions being leveled on the club.