TA: Miami International is talking about DePaul, Atletico Madrid is open to player transfers

The Athletic reported that Miami International is discussing Rodrigo de Paul's transfer with Atletico Madrid.

Miami International is negotiating to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder De Paul. DePaul, 31, is Messi's Argentina national team teammate and a close friend of Messi. His contract will expire after the end of the 2025-26 season. DePaul has long been on the roster of the FC League teams, but since he was eliminated last month, Miami's interest in him has deepened.

Atle Madrid is open to the deal, but if a deal is not reached, La Liga clubs won't mind reincorporating him into Simeone's first team roster. As a highly-known and highly paid player, DePaul's arrival will raise questions about Busquets' long-term future, as he, Messi and Alba have occupied three designated players (DP) spots in Miami. Alba signed a new contract earlier this year, and Messi is expected to renew it soon.

The most likely scenario is that Busquets withdraws in the middle of the season, but this will surprise many APAC observers. More likely, DePaul will join in with a more modest, cap-compliant salary and then renegotiate a new contract in 2026.

Since joining Atletico Madrid from Udinese in 2021, DePaul has been the main force of the team. The midfielder helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and also contributed in the 2021 and 2024 Copa America. He made almost all appearances in La Liga last season, helping the team finish third.

Before the club World Cup group stage was eliminated this summer, DePaul also participated in all competitions. DePaul scored 14 goals and assisted 26 times in 187 games for Simeone, and assisted 10 times in 53 games in the 2024-25 season.

Before the 2022 World Cup, DePaul said that he is Messi's good friend and his way of playing football is often complementary to Messi. Speaking of the partnership with Messi, DePaul said in 2022 that his goal is to "make him run less" and give Messi "more space to play."