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Pablo Barrios, a midfielder for Atletico Madrid, will sign a contract extending his time with the club until June 2030. The talented Spanish player has agreed to a long-term deal, ensuring his future with Atletico Madrid.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Barrios has agreed to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid until June 2030. The 21-year-old, who was already contracted until 2028, has decided to stay despite interest from several Premier League clubs. The new contract is expected to include a significant salary increase and possibly a higher release clause than the current €100 million in his existing deal.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Barrios has become a key player in Atletico Madrid’s midfield this season, making 27 appearances in all competitions. His performances earned him a place in the Spanish national team earlier this season, showing his rapid development. This shows Atletico’s bet in the future of the team, as part of a more general trend of growing internal talent instead of high value transfers. Barrios has been instrumental in their title challenge with his impressive midfield play.
The new contract is a major success for Atletico in fending off strong interest from Premier League giants. Both Arsenal and Chelsea were planning €70 million summer bids for Barrios, while Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain were also monitoring his situation. Arsenal was even considering triggering his €100 million release clause as they searched for midfield reinforcements.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BARRIOS
For Barrios, this contract extension marks an incredible rise since joining Atletico’s academy from Real Madrid in 2018. The midfielder has progressed through the ranks, becoming a first-team regular and international player at just 21 years old. His previous contract renewal in January 2023 tied him to the club until 2028, but this new agreement adds two more years and likely includes a significant salary increase from his current €1 million to potentially more than the €3 million that was previously being discussed.
WHAT NEXT FOR ATLETICO?
As the La Liga title race enters its final weeks, Atletico Madrid aims to overtake Barcelona at the top of the table. They currently trail the Catalans by just one point with three matches remaining in the season. Securing Barrios’ future allows the club to focus on their immediate sporting goals while planning for long-term stability. The midfielder is expected to play a crucial role in their remaining fixtures as they pursue what would be their second league title in four years.
