Atletico looked to the center of the field this winter market and eventually signed the young man. Arthur Vermeeren. I looked forward and the idea was to sign Moise Kean, but medical examination suggested otherwise. He looked at the castle and changed the cards, Horatiu Moldovan with Ivo Grbic. He didn’t look at defense at first, but two days before the market closed, he announced the acquisition of Gabriel Paulista.
The Brazilian defender became the team’s third and, in principle, the last transfer player. Athletic in this winter window. A temporary patch, sign it only a five month contractHe played until the end of this season after leaving Valencia, where he played for 6.5 seasons.
Strengthening the defense was not in Cholo’s plans. However, both the performance of his defenders and the losses he has experienced in that area in recent weeks invited him to add more money to this area. He does this with 33-year-old veteran with extensive experience in LaLiga He has also been called an immediate performer, playing regularly (19 matches this season).
Defensive losses and injuries
Caglar Soyuncu, After a disappointing first half of the season, he was loaned to Fenerbahce to reinvent himself. César AzpilicuetaA perfect wild card may not return until the final stage of the course due to a meniscus tear. José María Gimenez He is also in dry dock and in his case the severity of the illness is not as concerning as the recurrence of the injuries he suffered (he should return this month).
Definitely, Diego Simeone remained as is, at least in the short term Witsel, Hermoso, Savic and Reinildo will cover three positions in the middle of the defence. A squad too small to face three fully guaranteed competitions. And there Gabriel Paulista emerged, a textbook market opportunity.
Because the Brazilian player ended his contract with Valencia this season and enjoyed it. Automatic renewal clause if reaching 20 games. Peter Lim did not allow this to happen due to the high salary that the Mestalla club received in the forgotten times of prosperity.
Threat of corporate upheaval
This also happened Ruben BarajaChe coach threatened to declare a rebellion in the face of this situation. He had warned the club that he would be disposed of in the normal way, without taking into account his contractual situation, and this situation posed a double threat to Valencia: economic and institutional peace.
The solution was an agreement between Valencia and Paulista to terminate the contract and the signing of an agreement between the player and Atletico for the remainder of the season. A quick move He frustrated the current negotiations between the defender and Beşiktaş. Simeone adds another Praetorian to his ranks.