Atletico Madrid are unwilling to let Nico Gonzalez leave the club, with manager Diego Simeone specifically requesting his retention despite the recent Champions League final defeat to Arsenal, according to reports from TuttoSport. The Spanish club initially signed Gonzalez from Juventus last summer, utilizing him extensively throughout the season, even adapting their tactics to accommodate his strengths after the arrival of other players.
Juventus will not receive the previously agreed upon €32 million for Gonzalez’s permanent transfer, having been informed by Atletico’s board. However, Atletico are open to negotiating a lower fee, potentially around €20 million, reflecting Gonzalez’s remaining book value of just over €20 million as of July. The Madrid side are also hoping to include a player in the deal to further facilitate the transaction.
One name that has emerged in discussions is Johnny Cardoso, the American midfielder with Italian citizenship. Juventus previously showed interest in Cardoso before he joined Betis for €24 million a year ago. His valuation remains unchanged, and Atletico are prepared to consider offers for the player as they seek a midfielder capable of dictating tempo and building play. They envision a potential swap deal with Juventus, though the Italian club may believe a slight difference in value favors them.
Juventus are also evaluating other midfield options with more established profiles to complement Manuel Locatelli and Aurelien Thuram. Despite exploring other targets, Cardoso’s situation will be assessed. Simultaneously, Juventus have made an exploratory inquiry about Nicolò Pisilli, the Roma winger. Manager Luciano Spalletti has been impressed with Pisilli’s development, particularly his recent performances under Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta. However, Roma are currently resistant to selling Pisilli, viewing him as a key part of their future and a product of their youth system, despite potential offers.
