Atlético Madrid’s Midfielder Situation
Atlético Madrid is likely to part ways with midfielder Rodrigo De Paul if he does not agree to a contract extension within the upcoming weeks, as reported by a source in ESPN. However, head coach Diego Simeone is against the idea of De Paul leaving, as he regards the 31-year-old as an essential member of the team. With just one year remaining on De Paul’s contract, Atlético is eager to avoid the risk of losing him for free by the summer of 2026.
Interest from Inter Miami
The situation has attracted interest from Inter Miami, which is reportedly keeping a close eye on De Paul’s contract developments. The MLS team is hopeful that the presence of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in their roster could serve as a significant factor in persuading De Paul to join them. Nevertheless, financial constraints may hinder Miami’s ability to pay the transfer fee that Atlético would seek, despite the good relations between Atlético CEO Miguel Angel Gil and Miami’s Jorge Mas.
Potential Challenges and Replacements
If De Paul’s transfer materializes, it could pose a challenge for Simeone to find a midfielder with similar characteristics. A potential replacement that has emerged is Valencia’s Javi Guerra, who nearly moved to Atlético last summer. Moreover, there are concerns that the midfielder’s departure could impact team dynamics, particularly given his close friendship with Argentine teammate Julián Álvarez.
New Signings for the Upcoming Season
In preparation for the new season, Atlético has already bolstered their squad with new signings, including midfielder Álex Baena from Villarreal, left-back Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta, defender Clément Lenglet, and goalkeeper Juan Musso, who all have joined the team on permanent contracts. Furthermore, an announcement regarding Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso is anticipated soon, although it has been delayed due to Cardoso’s international commitments with the U.S. national team at the Gold Cup.
