At a glance
- Surprise reports claimed that Atletico Madrid have already held a meeting to discuss the potential transfer of FC Barcelona’s Marc Bernal.
- According to Mundo Deportivo, however, the Rojiblancos have already given up chase.
- Bernal is currently fighting to be fit for the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Diego Simeone’s men.
A surprise report from AS broke on Friday in Spain. In it, Atletico Madrid editor Sergio Picos explained how the Rojiblancos recently held a meeting with FC Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal‘s agent.
AS added that Atletico seek midfielders for their 2026/2027 campaign. Bernal is on their shortlist, and currently rated at €30 million by Transfermarkt.
After overcoming his ACL tear in 2024, Bernal is enjoying a breakout season. He has five goals in all competitions, two of which came against Atleti in the Copa del Rey.
This will have no doubt caught Barca’s rival in the Champions League quarterfinals’ attention. But rival publications claim that Atleti’s interest in the pivot is no more.
Interest in Barcelona star Bernal is genuine
Mundo Deportivo confirmed Atleti are interested in Marc Bernal. Yet after seeing him become a starter under Flick, they’ve given up.
It’s Flick that has convinced the Class of 2007 graduate to stay at the club. This means the exit door’s closed on Bernal, who has a contract until 2029.
Furthermore, MD discovered that a meeting between Atletico Madrid director of football Mateu Alemany and Bernal’s agent Raul Verdu pertained to another Roc Nation player.
Bernal is seen as the future of Barcelona’s midfield. It’s doubtful the Catalans would sell a prospect like him – and especially not to a rival club of Atletico’s ilk.
That logic might not apply to figures such as Ferran Torres and Marc Casado, however. Both are them are believed to be on the exit ramp, and could leave in the summer.
This week, Cadena SER reported that Casado has advised his agent to listen to offers, and Alemany is elsewhere named as an admirer of Torres’ by SPORT.
Also on Friday, Bernal accelerated his recovery with a view to playing the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Atleti at the Metropolitano.
