Guido Rodriguez seemed to be bound for Barcelona as their first summer acquisition.
There have been hints in recent weeks that the Argentine international midfielder has an agreement to sign with Barça as a free agent after his Real Betis contract expires.
This week, though, rumours have circulated that the 30-year-old’s relocation might wind up falling through.
This is because the contract between Barcelona and Rodriguez expires today, May 31, leaving the door open for other teams to express interest in signing the midfield player.
Atletico Madrid is preparing a raid
Because Barcelona hasn’t followed through on their pre-agreement with Rodriguez, he does have the option to accept offers from other teams.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico Madrid may plan a move to sign Guido Rodriguez for nothing when his Real Betis contract expires.
The 30-year-old midfielder has long been admired by Los Colchoneros, and the fact that he will be available for free makes Diego Simeone and company want to sign him.
As the Argentine national team gets ready for the Copa America, which is scheduled to begin in a few weeks, Rodriguez is now overseas.
The defensive midfielder had intended to end things with Barcelona so that he could concentrate on the competition that would take place in the United States, but that is not going to happen because the Catalan club cannot guarantee the player’s registration at this time.
Rodriguez will therefore no longer have Barcelona’s preferential option to sign the Argentine international, and as of tomorrow, June 1, he is free to negotiate and join with any other team. And this is something Atletico can capitalise on.
