Juventus open talks with Atletico Madrid star

Juventus have officially opened talks with Atletico Madrid over the possible transfer of Nahuel Molina, as the Spanish giants continue to reshape their squad during a hectic summer.

Molina, a 27-year-old right-back and World Cup winner, joined Atletico from Udinese three years ago in a €20 million deal meant to fill the void left by Kieran Trippier.

While he initially looked like a long-term solution, his place in the starting XI has gradually been taken over by Marcos Llorente, leaving his future at the club uncertain.

Both the club and the player are open to a move. Atletico are reportedly asking for €25–30 million, but Juventus are keen to negotiate that figure down.

Options on the table may include player exchanges or loans, with names like Dusan Vlahović, Weston McKennie, and Nico González potentially involved in the deal.

Atletico’s need to free up a non-EU player slot—now taken by Molina—has added urgency to the situation following the arrival of Thiago Almada.

However, the transfer might not go through quickly. Atletico remain cautious, particularly because their pursuit of right-back Jesús Areso appears to be falling through. Without a replacement lined up, they may hesitate to finalize Molina’s departure.

Meanwhile, Villarreal have also shown interest, reportedly proposing a loan deal, although Atletico would strongly prefer a permanent sale, especially with Molina’s contract set to expire in two years.

A renewal would extend his deal into his thirties, something the club seems reluctant to pursue.

As Atletico weigh their options, Juventus remain in pole position for Molina, but the outcome may depend on how far each side is willing to compromise—both in terms of fee and player movement.

With other moving parts in play, including the reported imminent exit of Saúl Ñíguez to Flamengo, Atletico’s squad dynamics are shifting fast.

Molina’s future could be one of the key dominoes in determining the final shape of their defense heading into the new season.