TRANSFER MARKET
Atlético moves ahead and frustrates a future option that Barça was following
Published New:23/07/2025 - 03:03h
Updated New:23/07/2025 - 04:07h
Atlético moved quickly and closed a deal that was among the alternatives Barça was considering for its defense
Last-minute swerve in the summer transfer market 2025/26. Despite everything seeming to be on track for Marc Pubill, a 22-year-old right-back, to sign for AC Milan —a team with whom he recently underwent a first medical evaluation to explore his physical condition ahead of a possible future incorporation—, the Terrassa native has finally ended up signing for another team.
Pubill signs for Atlético de Madrid for €20M including bonuses
Pubill, in an unexpected market move, has become a new player for Atlético de Madrid. 'Cholo' Simeone's team, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, closed the deal for around €20M including variables (16+4). In turn, UD Almería secured a 15% clause in case of a future sale.
With this operation, the colchoneros —who have already spent more than 100 million euros on various operations this summer— are ahead of clubs such as AC Milan, Wolves and FC Barcelona, signing one of the young full-backs with the greatest potential in the market. Pubill arrives at the rojiblanco team with his main achievement at the national team level: the Olympic champion title in Paris 2024.
Marc also has in his favor the fact that he comes from a 2024/25 season with physical regularity. It should not be forgotten that, in the 2023/24 season, he did suffer a significant injury to his left knee: an osteochondritis dissecans, for which he underwent a heterologous graft in the lesional bed.
MARC PUBILL'S 2024/25 SEASON WITH UD ALMERÍA:
- Matches: 40
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 5
- Minutes played: 3,107
Barcelona loses another option to reinforce the right-back position
With this move, FC Barcelona also loses a market option to reinforce the right-back position, especially thinking about the future. It should be noted that this 2025/26 season seems to have ruled out the incorporation of a new right-back, in a demarcation that has Jules Koundé as a starter, and Héctor Fort and Eric García as valuable alternatives.
This has motivated, for example, the rejection —at least for the moment— of incorporations such as that of Denzel Dumfries. Operation also subject to possible departures in this summer market.
