Atlético negotiates 40‑million clause to sign Stefan Dzodic
Atletico Madrid has started negotiations with UD Almería to acquire the 21‑year‑old Serbian midfielder, Stefan Dzodic. The player has a release clause of €40 million, more than triple the €12 million that currently value him.
Clause and timetable of the negotiation
The sporting directorate, headed by Mateu Alemany, faces a release clause of €40 million for the player, who still plays in the Segunda División. The calendar favours the Andalusian club in the negotiations. On 8 October, Almería announced the extension of Dzodic’s contract until June 2032. If the deal is completed next summer, the seller will have five years of contract and no urgency to cash.
The €40 million clause is more than triple the €12 million that currently value him.
The renewal coincided almost exactly with his senior Serbia debut in October. After that call‑up, his valuation rose to €12 million, only just below the €20 million for Sergio Arribas at Atletico.
Relationship between Atletico and Almería and other interested parties
Atletico and Almería already know each other from previous meetings. In July 2025, Atletico signed right‑back Marc Pubill from India, which opened a working line between the two clubs. That relationship is being used as an argument to try to lower the €40 million clause. Moreover, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton are tracking the midfielder, although none have progressed as far as Atletico.
Dzodic was born in Montpellier on 15 March 2005 and arrived at Almería in the summer of 2025 from a French club. In his first Spanish season he played 33 league matches and four promotion‑playoff games. His profile is that of a defensive midfielder with the ability to play as a centre‑back, a versatility highlighted by Almería.
In Xavi García Pimienta’s 1‑4‑3‑3 he established himself as a key piece in midfield, and against Leganés he made the play that opened the 3‑0 by winning the ball in the 52nd minute and assisting Miguel de la Fuente. For Atletico it represents a future investment, as he knows LaLiga and the demand of fighting for promotion.
Negotiations will continue in the coming months, with July 2027 as the target date and the €40 million clause as the ceiling of the discussion.