Vrsaljko remains a mystery at Atletico Madrid LaLiga His future won't be decided until the end of the year

With Atletico Madrid working hard to find an adequate replacement for Juanfran, the future of Sime Vrsaljko at the Wanda Metropolitano remains a doubt and won't be cleared up until long after the summer.

As things stand, the only thing that can be assumed is that the Croatian will start the 2019/20 season by honouring his contract, which binds him to the club until 2022, and until he makes a full recovery - which isn't expected to happen until October - that will remain the case.

Until then, a lot can happen. Only four months have passed since he underwent a surgical reconstruction of a ligament in his knee back in Croatia and started a likely 10-month recovery process.

He'll continue to work under the supervision of Atletico's medical services until about mid-August, when he'll then enter the final phase of his recovery at Cerro del Espino, but more time will be needed before he can be medically discharged.

Complete uncertainty

As October approaches it'll be easier to see where he stands at the club, from the analysis of his physical condition to the position at the club and his own interests.

His entire time with Atletico has been clouded in uncertainty. After finally adapting to Diego Simeone's system, he suffered an injury against Sevilla that would force him to be operated upon a year later when he had become first choice.

But after starting in the Europa League final in Lyon, he was sent on his way to Inter last summer in a loan deal, having played excellently in the World Cup for Croatia. His injury closed the door on a permanent move to the Serie A side, and now he's back to square one.