Nico Gonzalez has informed Juventus he does not wish to return to Turin, despite the club’s efforts to sell him following a loan spell at Atletico Madrid. The 28-year-old winger has made it clear he prefers to remain with Atletico, or explore other options, effectively ending his time with the Bianconeri according to reports from Turin.
Juventus initially invested 33 million euros in Gonzalez during the summer of 2024, sending him on loan to Atletico Madrid with an option to buy for 32 million euros. However, Atletico did not trigger that clause, and are now reportedly offering between 24-25 million euros, a figure Juventus considers insufficient. Negotiations between the clubs, led by Juventus’s sporting director Damien Comolli, have stalled.
Gonzalez’s desire to stay in Madrid stems from a more favorable tactical fit under manager Diego Simeone, and a better overall lifestyle. He struggled to find a consistent role under former Juventus coach Igor Tudor, who deployed him as a wing-back, a position he did not favor. Despite a season impacted by muscular injuries – resulting in 39 appearances and 5 goals for Atletico – Gonzalez has remained a valuable contributor.
The situation is further complicated by the interest of Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti, who would be open to working with Gonzalez should a move to Atletico fall through. However, Gonzalez has reportedly communicated his definitive stance to the club, making a return to Juventus highly unlikely. He finished the season early due to a physical issue, but is hoping to feature in the upcoming Copa America, having been included in Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary squad. Juventus are now under pressure to find a buyer and generate funds, but must respect the player’s wishes.
