The recent signing of Nico González by Manchester City has caused significant movements in the European football scene. The Spanish midfielder, trained in the youth ranks of FC Barcelona, has been transferred from FC Porto to the English club for a figure close to 62 million dollars. This move harms Atlético de Madrid, which sees one of its main rivals in the transfer market strengthen economically.
Economic benefits for FC Barcelona
Initially, it was expected that FC Barcelona would obtain a considerable percentage of this sale, due to a clause that granted it 40% of the capital gain in a future transfer. However, Porto exercised an option that reduced this percentage to 20%, so the Catalan club will receive approximately 10 million euros instead of the 20 initially expected.
This capital injection into FC Barcelona's coffers could influence the next transfer market, especially in a shared target with Atlético de Madrid. One of the names in dispute is Álex Baena, a talented midfielder from Villarreal CF. Atlético de Madrid, under the watchful eye of Simeone, has shown notable interest in Baena to strengthen its squad.
With the additional funds obtained from the sale of Nico González, FC Barcelona could intensify its interest in Álex Baena, increasing the great competition for his signing. This situation complicates the aspirations of Atlético de Madrid, which sees Baena as a key piece for its sports project. Villarreal CF, meanwhile, is aware of the great value of its player and has set a release clause close to 60 million euros.
Atlético de Madrid's upcoming match
Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid is preparing for an immediate challenge on the field. Next Saturday, the colchonero team will visit Estadio Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid in a new edition of the Madrid classic. This match is crucial for the team's aspirations in the league and represents an opportunity to demonstrate its strength against its eternal rival.
The recent transfer of Nico González to Manchester City has had repercussions beyond the clubs directly involved. The economic benefit for FC Barcelona could influence the transfer market, affecting the strategies of other teams like Atlético de Madrid. The competition for players like Álex Baena intensifies, and the upcoming moves in the market will be decisive for the squads of the next season.