Key Takeaways:
- Atletico Madrid have begun negotiations to sign Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli
- Panichelli has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 31 Ligue 1 matches this season
- Interest in Panichelli is independent of Julian Alvarez’ position, with Alexander Sorloth’s role potentially affected
Transfer Strategy Targets Argentine Strike Talent
Atletico Madrid have wasted no time outlining their objectives for the forthcoming summer transfer period, initiating discussions to strengthen their attacking options. While a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson dos Santos appears to be progressing, attention has pivoted towards securing a reliable centre-forward.
This campaign, Atletico’s attacking line has lacked consistency. Julian Alvarez has struggled for form, Antoine Griezmann has often been the most dependable yet featured less regularly, and Alexander Sorloth has failed to deliver sustained impact. Ademola Lookman is set to remain a core figure for future seasons, but certainty eludes the rest of the attack.
๐จ ๐'๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐จ๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐๐ค๐จ๐๐ก ๐ฃ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ! ๐ฆ๐ท๐
(@elchiringuitotv) pic.twitter.com/yYwvD0FBxC
— Instant Foot โฝ๏ธ (@lnstantFoot) February 20, 2026
Atleticoโs Interest in Joaquin Panichelli
Back in December, both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona were credited with interest in Strasbourgโs Joaquin Panichelli. Now, according to El Chiringuito, Atletico have taken concrete steps toward signing the Argentina international, already working on securing the former Mirandes striker. Panichelliโs transfer to Strasbourg involved a โฌ17m fee, and although the French club is affiliated with Chelsea owners Blue Co., reports indicate they may accept offers in the region of โฌ30m for him.
Squad Implications and Forward Dynamics
Significantly, Atletico’s efforts to recruit Panichelli are not connected to the uncertainty surrounding Julian Alvarez’s future. The club frequently operate with two forwards, and Panichelli is not being lined up as a replacement for Alvarez. Instead, his arrival could pave the way for Alexander Sorlothโs departure, given that the Norwegian has yet to establish himself as a regular starter during his second season at the club.
Joaquin Panichelliโs League 1 Performance
Since moving from Mirandes to Strasbourg, Panichelli has made 31 appearances in Ligue 1, notching 14 goals and supplying four assists, closely mirroring the prolific output from his breakout season in Spanish football, where he found the net 21 times in 44 appearances for Mirandes. The 2025-26 campaign marks just his second in top-flight football. November saw national team manager Lionel Scaloni award Panichelli his Argentina debut, underlining the strikerโs rapid rise.
