Published: September 6, 2:37 p.m. ET
Updated: September 6, 11:53 p.m. ET

No transfer materialized this summer for Tajon Buchanan, but it doesn’t seem like the Canadian is destined to stay in Belgium for much longer.

Could he join his CanMNT compatriot Cyle Larin in La Liga come January?

Canadian Soccer Daily has learned that Spanish giants Atlético Madrid did make a late attempt to sign the Canadian winger from Club Brugge, as was reported by others including Transfermarkt’s resident Canadian expert Manuel Veth, but because of payment issues involving Yannick Carrasco’s move to Saudi Arabia, Atléti couldn’t get the financing arrangements sorted to complete the move for Buchanan.

Related read: Transfer window just a summer of interest and almosts for CanMNT stars Jonathan David & Tajon Buchanan

But Atlético aren’t going to give up on the 24-year-old.

Two sources familiar with Atlético’s interest confirmed to Canadian Soccer Daily that the Spanish giants are already preparing a January move for Buchanan and have identified Buchanan as a primary target to bolster their full-back and wing departments. Spanish reports on Wednesday claimed that Atlético want to bring Buchanan to the Metropolitano Stadium on an initial loan deal with an option to buy Buchanan permanently next summer.

The club know Buchanan relatively well, having faced him during Club Brugge’s run to the Champions League knockout stages last season, and they have been monitoring the Brampton-born star since then. With Buchanan only playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League this year as opposed to the UECL, fewer eyes will be on him, and Atléti are looking to use that to their advantage.

Buchanan has started the season well for Brugge, scoring three goals already for the Belgian capital side in 2023-24 in all competitions. However, he is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury at the weekend.