Nico Gonzalez is actively pushing for a permanent move to Atletico Madrid, having informed both the club and manager Diego Pablo Simeone of his desire to remain in the Spanish capital, even while on international duty at the World Cup. The Argentinian winger has flourished at Atletico following a less impactful season with Juventus.
Gonzalez has settled well in Madrid, enjoying a positive relationship with his teammates and earning the trust of Simeone, who has reportedly made a direct request to the club to secure his continued services. This strong desire from both player and manager is contributing to Atletico’s attempts to negotiate a lower fee than the initial release clause.
Juventus are currently holding firm on a valuation of between €26 and €27 million for Gonzalez, exceeding Atletico’s current offer of €23-24 million including potential bonuses. The Turin club are unwilling to sell Gonzalez for less than a profit, with the player’s book value currently standing at around €20 million, and his annual cost – including amortization and wages – totaling approximately €12 million.
Despite Luciano Spalletti reportedly being a fan of Gonzalez and potentially integrating him into his plans at Juventus, the player's preference for Atletico has given Juventus more leeway in negotiations. Spalletti is believed to be open to keeping Gonzalez, but the player’s clear preference is influencing the club’s approach. The sale of Gonzalez would also provide a financial boost for Juventus, allowing them to invest in strengthening the squad ahead of the new season, which begins on July 13th. Juventus are aiming for a profit of €5-6 million from the transfer.
Atletico Madrid are keen to finalize a deal for Gonzalez before pursuing other targets, having already secured Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen, and are also interested in Lee Kang-In of Paris Saint-Germain.
