When Cholo talks about players, it’s because he means business.

Last July, Cholo amid all the rumours about Atletico signing Griezmann, practically confirmed the signing by talking explicitly about the player.

When Cholo gives names, the transfer is bound to happen or he is begging for the player.

Despite the tradition of selling top players and replacing them season after season, Cholo is confident that this season will be a season of reinforcing the team and not rebuilding.

For Cholo, just having talent doesn’t cut it. The Argentine wants talent, sacrifice and most of all that the player is a warrior.

After weeks of rumours, Cholo confirmed that Atleti is in for Tevez, Vietto, Filipe Luis, Kranevitter and Mammana.

“I haven’t spoken to Carlos [Tevez], but I know the club is speaking with his agent,” said Cholo in an interview with AS. “He would be an ideal reinforcement for how football is played in Atlético Madrid.”

Another name that has been popping up for a while is Luciano Vietto. While manager at Racing Club, Cholo gave the youngster his debut.

The rumors began after Villarreal visited the Calderon, a match Vietto scored the 0-1 winner for the ‘submarino amarillo’, and Vietto posted a photo of him and Simeone on Twitter with the caption, “I’ll always be thankful!”

A few days ago, COPE broke the news that Atleti will pay 22 million euros for the youngster and that the signing would be completed soon.

Earlier today, Marca reported the supposed wages Vietto would get, 1 million after taxes during his first season with an incremental rise to 2.5 million. The contract would be for five years.

“We’re close [to signing him],” said Cholo. “I’m counting on him for next season because he’s a footballer who, in my opinion, has amazing characteristics. He reminds me a lot of David Villa.”

But the team isn’t just in need of strikers. A midfielder and possibly a left-back is needed too.

A position that wasn’t properly replaced last season is where Filipe Luis used to play, left back.

The Brazilian left Atleti for Chelsea, but has rarely played for the Blues, so rumours have it that he will come back to Atleti.

Many fans hold a grudge against Filipe Luis, but can he be forgiven? Marca ran an article yesterday saying that Filipe rejected an offer from Real Madrid.

Sure, it’s possible that he actually did reject an offer from our neighbours, but it’s likely that there never was an offer.

Atleti’s Public Relations team is surely trying to make Atleti fans forgive the 29-year-old in hopes of a possible return. A player rejecting Real Madrid? That’ll surely make us like him a bit again, no?

The rumours seem to be true though – not that he rejected Madrid – but that Atleti (or Cholo) want him.

“He’s a player that we love a lot as a person and he knows us well. He’s given so much for the club. Hopefully the transfer works out,” said Cholo.

It’s going to be a busy summer, but for once it actually seems like the fans are waiting for the days to pass to see if the club has made any signings and not departures like we’re so used to.

Times are changing for Atleti. Europe, we’re back.