They only arrived at the Estadio Vicente Calderon last summer but now Nicolas Gaitan and Kevin Gameiro must prove themselves at Atletico Madrid next season.
Diego Simeone welcomed the Argentinian and the Frenchman with open arms in hope that the duo could push Atletico Madrid to the next level.
After an arguably lacklustre first stint at the club, Simeone would have considered moving the two recent additions if the right offer had arrived.
However, with FIFA's transfer ban now implemented, the two players have a lifeline to save their careers in Madrid, before the ban is lifted in 2018.
Departures of the duo would have made room for other options such as Diego Costa, Alexander Lacazette, Vitolo, Sandro and Fabinho, but instead Simeone will hope the players can recapture the form once showcased at Benfica and Sevilla respectively.
The Argentine coach had initially pinpointed a high-profile striker amongst a list of Costa, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Edinson Cavani, Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain, but with the players mentioned seemingly off-limits, Simeone went for an affordable Gameiro.
Gaitan, however, had been chased by various clubs during his time in Portugal, with El Cholo his main suitor. The 29-year-old midfielder was notably the more disappointing of the two, as he tallied a dismal five assists compared to an impressive 20 in the season before, though the player rarely featured in the first eleven.
As for the 30-year-old striker, appearances in the starting eleven were more prominent, but his goal scoring record failed to emulate that of his triumphant time at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
For now, both players will relish the chance to reprove themselves in Madrid, as the two will look ahead to earn a place in Russia for the World Cup next summer.