Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have reportedly been told to stump up €25 million to sign Argentine striker Lucas Boye from Elche CF.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona know how much they will have to shell out to secure the services of Lucas Boye. Elche CF will demand that the suitors trigger the €25 million release clause to part with the Argentine striker in the ongoing transfer window.
Lucas Boye has established himself as one of the most reliable strikers in Spain since joining Elche from Torino in September 2020. Los Franjiverdes had initially signed the 25-year-old on loan before securing his services on a permanent deal last summer.
The Argentine striker is enjoying a solid 2021/22 campaign, amassing seven goals and two assists in 17 La Liga appearances. The player’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with some of the biggest clubs in Spain, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid keen on signing him.
The interest from Barcelona comes in the wake of the rampant uncertainties surrounding Alvaro Morata’s transfer saga. While recent reports have claimed that Barcelona and the Spanish striker were in advanced talks to complete a late January move, he is unlikely to arrive at Camp Nou this month.
As a result, the Catalan giants have had to set their sights on alternatives, with Boye emerging on their radar. But Barcelona will need to fend off stiff competition from arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in the race to sign the Argentine striker from Elche this month.
While initial reports had claimed that the reigning La Liga champions were planning a summer move for Boye, it seems as if they are accelerating their pursuit. Atletico Madrid could thus enter the race to sign the 25-year-old in the ongoing transfer window amid the fitness issues plaguing former Barcelona striker Luis this season.
But Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will need to trigger Boye’s €25 million release clause to secure his services this month. That might be a tricky proposition for both clubs, considering neither is in the best of health financially. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if either La Liga bigwig can land the Argentine striker in a €25 million deal before the January transfer window shuts down.
