Key Takeaways
- Nico Gonzalez’s muscle injury has blocked the automatic €32m purchase clause in his Atletico Madrid loan contract
- The Argentine has started only 16 LaLiga matches, falling short of the 21 appearances required to trigger the obligation
- Atletico may still negotiate a permanent deal, but Juventus will demand at least €20m to avoid financial losses
Atletico Madrid will not be forced to sign Nico Gonzalez permanently this summer. The Argentine winger has picked up a muscle problem that will keep him sidelined for several weeks. This setback means he cannot reach the appearance target set in his loan agreement with Juventus.
The 26-year-old moved to the Spanish capital on a temporary deal for the 2025-26 campaign. The original agreement included a €1m loan fee with potential add-ons of another €1m. It also contained a conditional obligation to buy. Atletico would have to pay €32m if Gonzalez played 45 minutes or more in 60% of LaLiga fixtures following his arrival.
However, Gonzalez missed the first three league games of the season while still registered with Juventus. This meant he needed to feature for at least 45 minutes in 21 matches to hit the 60% threshold. He has appeared in 24 LaLiga games this term. Yet only 16 of those outings lasted longer than 45 minutes.
The recent injury puts an end to any chance of meeting that target. Now both clubs face uncertainty over the player’s future. According to reports in Italy, Atletico manager Diego Simeone values the player. However, the club’s board views the €32m price tag as excessive.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Juventus still want around €30m for a permanent transfer. The Serie A giants need to secure at least €20m to prevent a capital loss on their books. This gap leaves room for further talks between the clubs.
Despite the collapsed clause, Gonzalez reportedly wishes to remain at the Wanda Metropolitano next season. The Champions League semi-finalists may now attempt to secure his signature at a reduced price.