Atlético de Madrid loses one of its pillars. The departure of the Argentine midfielder has been an unexpected blow. His destination is clear: he will play in MLS alongside a familiar face.
Inter Miami has put the necessary millions on the table to finalize the transfer. Rodrigo De Paul will share the locker room with several South American stars. The deal has been closed quickly, and it's already official in the United States.
Simeone hasn't taken long to make a move. The Argentine coach believes that the interior position must be urgently reinforced. The new season starts soon and he doesn't want to depend on improvised solutions.
The board is working with several options. The list includes very different profiles, from proven players to young prospects. Among them, there are two names who currently belong to FC Barcelona.
Simeone prioritizes intensity, pressure, and stamina in the midfield
The coach's idea is to keep the competitive style that characterizes his team. He needs a midfielder who presses, wins the ball, and never stops running. The loss of De Paul affects both tactically and emotionally.
That's why the profile he's looking for isn't just anyone. It must be a footballer with a strong mentality, who understands vertical play and has personality. Simeone demands character, commitment, and endurance to occupy that area of the field.
Among the candidates, there are players from La Liga, the Premier League, and German soccer. They've also looked at the Barça locker room, where there are two players who are highly regarded. They're young, with a competitive DNA and elite training.
Both have caught attention for different reasons: one for his tactical intelligence; the other, for his energy. The reports are positive and at the Metropolitano, they're already debating the feasibility of their signings.
Atlético considers an affordable signing
The De Paul deal allows Atlético to have financial leeway. Part of that money will be invested directly in his replacement. However, they don't want to go overboard and are opting for realistic options.
At the club, they don't consider paying exorbitant amounts for a replacement. They're looking for talent, but also financial coherence. That's why they've ruled out several international names whose price exceeds €40 million.
The two Barça players could arrive under very favorable conditions. In one case, there's even talk of a loan with a purchase option. In the other, they're considering a negotiation that would include performance-based variables.
Both options fit the club's strategy. Bringing in youth with potential and formative experience is key in rebuilding the midfield. Even more so if they come from such a demanding environment as Barça.
Two Barça players in the spotlight
From the sporting management, monitoring of both footballers has intensified in recent days. Their names have been analyzed in internal meetings. The technical staff's report approves them without too many objections.
One of them is a reserve team midfielder who has already debuted with the first team. He has tactical awareness, balance, and a great capacity for sacrifice. His name is Marc Casadó, and he's liked for his reliability and maturity.
The other is one of the first team's gems. He has been an international, a title winner, and a captain in youth categories. His name is Gavi, and although he seems untouchable, Atlético is willing to try.
Simeone wants them. After De Paul's sale, at the Metropolitano they dream of a new leader... wearing Barça colors.
