Atlético Madrid: The Memphis route opens, Aubameyang impossible

Atlético de Madrid continues to move on the market to find a replacement in advance after the departure of Joao Félix. The mattress box has several candidates, looking for a ‘low-cost’ transfer and preferably a loan until 30 June. In this context emerges the figure of Memphis Depay, who ends his contract with Barça this season and who could get closer to Atlético de Madrid, provided that the rojiblancos pay compensation to Barça for these months. In the Barça team, they are not considering a transfer and want to save their salary from Memphis and get some money for the operation. Another option on the table is a very low cost transfer with a percentage reserved in case of a hypothetical sale of the player.

The will of Memphis, key in the negotiations

Talks are still open, relations between the clubs have always been fluid and Memphis, while not the only option Atlético manages, does interest the rojiblanco team. In this negotiation, the will of the player will play a fundamental role. Memphis’ contract expires in June and is looking for a good financial offer, regardless of the possibility of playing more minutes, as it hardly counts for Xavi Hernández. Memphis’ salary is high, he is not going to give up that money and it remains to be seen whether he wants to play for Atlético de Madrid. Don’t forget that from 1 January you are free to negotiate with any club. And Memphis has other offers on the table aside from the rojiblanco interest. Sources consulted by GOAL explain that both clubs are still studying how to carry out the operation, but the key will be the will of the player, which is not the only option the colchoneros have in this complex market.

Aubameyang, impossible under FIFA regulations

A case opposite to that of Memphis is that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was among the options on the table, is impossible due to FIFA regulations. The Gabonese has been playing in the rojiblanco environment for the past few hours to bolster the team following the departure of João Félix, but FIFA rules prohibit the striker from playing for a third club whose league has the same calendar as Barça and Chelsea. It should be remembered that ‘Auba’ left when the summer market ended for Chelsea, in exchange for 11 million euros. Of course, before he had time to play eight minutes with Barça against Rayo. To this must be added 15 games with the “blues”. precisely for this reason, andThe FIFA Player Registration Regulations, in Article 5.4, prohibit Aubameyang from signing for Atlético de Madrid.