Transfer rumour · archive

Nicolás Tagliafico to Atletico

This move fell through. Last report: Fabrizio Romano, 1 September 2026.

Atletico Madrid's pursuit of Nicolás Tagliafico has collapsed. The 34-year-old Argentina left-back was ready to join, having given his green light to the move, but the deal never crossed the line and is now off. Lyon and Atletico had been discussing a fee of €1m to €2m for a player valued at around €4m and under contract until June 2027. Sporting director Mateu Alemany was working on exits to clear the way, and for a spell the deal was still being negotiated. It has since fallen apart, with Juventus the other club circling the same player. The reporting here is unusually strong. Fabrizio Romano, one of the benchmark voices in the business, tracked every twist and confirmed the collapse himself. German Garcia Grova and Cesar Luis Merlo both flagged Atletico's formal interest and the fact that Tagliafico's arrival hinged on a departure at the Spanish club. When the most reliable name on the beat calls a deal off, you take him at his word. This is a long shot now. Reviving it would need Atletico to solve the exits Alemany was chasing and reopen talks with Lyon, and there is no sign of that. Tagliafico wanted the move, so the willingness was there, but the club-to-club agreement never happened. For context, Tagliafico cost Lyon €4m from Ajax, who had signed him from Independiente for €4m in 2018, itself after a €3m move from Banfield in 2015. A fee of €1m to €2m sat comfortably inside that history. Watch whether Atletico clear a departure and rekindle talks, or whether Juventus firm up instead.

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