Atletico reduced to 19 players: Simeone wants world transfer deadline

Atletico lost Yannick Carrasco and Nicolas Gaitan to Chinese club Dalian Yifang and manager Diego Simeone wants the transfer deadline to be the same the world over after seeing his squad reduced to 19 players ahead of the close of the Chinese window.

"It would be better if we had one deadline day for everyone. It would mean players, clubs, coaches could all be a lot more relaxed," he said, with Augusto Fernandez also moving to Beijing Renhe at the end of January.

"I don’t stick my nose into the personal preferences of people. All the time it’s for sporting development I am happy," Simeone added about players choosing to move to China. "If it’s for economic growth well that’s a personal choice. In football nothing surprises me. These choices can always be made."