Atlético Madrid is preparing to sell Rodrigo de Paul this summer unless the Argentine midfielder agrees to extend his contract with the Rojiblancos, according to sources cited by ESPN.
Despite this, Atlético head coach Diego Simeone reportedly opposes De Paul’s departure, viewing him as a crucial asset to the team.
At 31, De Paul has one year remaining on his contract, and Atlético aims to avoid his potential departure as a free agent in June 2026.
Inter Miami is said to be closely following De Paul’s contract situation, considering him as a target for acquisition.
Reports suggest Miami believes that having Lionel Messi on their roster would encourage De Paul to make the move to MLS.
However, Miami struggles to meet Atlético’s transfer fee demands for De Paul, partly due to the friendship between Atlético CEO Miguel Angel Gil and his Miami counterpart, Jorge Mas.
If De Paul decides to leave, it will pose a challenge for Simeone, who will need to find a midfielder with similar abilities.
One potential replacement for De Paul could be Jabi Guerra from Valencia, who Atlético had shown interest in last summer.
Additionally, there are worries that De Paul’s exit might have longer-term impacts, especially since he is well-respected among his teammates, including Argentine Julian Alvarez.
Atlético has recently acquired midfielder Alex Baena from Villarreal and left-back Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta, and finalized a deal for defender Clement Lenglet and goalkeeper Juan Masso.
They are also anticipating the announcement of midfielder Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, although this has been delayed due to players’ international commitments in the Gold Cup.
Editorial Opinion: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the potential shifting dynamics within Atlético Madrid, a club steeped in competitive ambition. De Paul’s possible departure would not only impact the team’s immediate performance but could also set the stage for an intriguing summer transfer window.
