Sergi Roberto is no longer a target for Atletico Madrid, with the reigning La Liga champions reportedly ruling out a move for the Barcelona utility man.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Toni Juanmarti, Atletico Madrid will not pursue a move for Sergi Roberto. The Barcelona utility man is no longer an option for the defending La Liga champions, who appear set to look elsewhere to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window.
Sergi Roberto joined Barcelona when he enlisted with their famed academy La Masia in 2006 upon arriving from Gimnastic de Tarragona. The Spanish international has spent his entire professional career with the Blaugrana, making a name for himself as a utility man due to his ability to play as a full-back and a central midfielder.
But the 30-year-old has regressed considerably in the last couple of years, with the ongoing season arguably his worst for Barcelona. Roberto has garnered only 567 minutes of game-time across 12 appearances. Furthermore, Roberto could leave Barcelona as a free agent in the summer transfer window, with his current deal expiring in June.
There has been little movement on the renewal front, although recent reports have suggested that the player will soon sit down with the club for crunch talks. The Spaniard has also garnered interest from a few clubs in Spain and beyond, with Atletico Madrid linked most heavily with him.
The interest from Atletico Madrid could have stemmed due to the uncertainties surrounding the future of Sime Vrsaljko. The Croat will likely depart the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer transfer window, creating the need for Barcelona to sign a right-back. Roberto is thus a viable target for Atletico Madrid.
Alternatively, the reigning La Liga champions could also utilise the Barcelona utility man in the middle of the park, with Hector Herrera set to join Houston Dynamo ahead of the 2022/23 season. But Roberto is no longer an option for Atletico Madrid, who will look elsewhere to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window.
Matty Cash is reportedly a priority target for Atletico Madrid, who could pursue the Aston Villa defender in the summer transfer window. As for Roberto, the 30-year-old utility man will have to wait for a while before there is more clarity on his future, with a move to Atletico Madrid appearing unlikely.
