Barcelona fights to keep Bernal as Atletico eyes Koke replacement

Marc Bernal is caught between two divergent paths: Barcelona’s Camp Nou hierarchy, led by Deco and Laporta, push to extend his contract, while Atlético de Madrid’s sporting director Mateu Alemany eyes him as a long‑term replacement for Koke, whose deal runs to 2027.

Barcelona's renewal plan

Bernal’s contract, renewed in September 2025, runs until 2029 and carries a €30 million market value with a €500 million release clause. The club’s idea in Can Barça is to extend the vínculo until 2031, and Deco and Laporta have agreed on a salary improvement as part of that extension. However, La llegada of Rodri at Barcelona could push the 19‑year‑old out of the midfield rotation, limiting his minutes this season.

With limited minutes this campaign, Bernal is seeking regular action and does not rule out a move to Atlético. His agent, Raúl Verdú, held a summit in April with Mateu Alemany and now maintains constant conversations, while Barcelona has signalled it does not want to part with the footballer.

Atlético's midfield project

Since the market opened, Atlético de Madrid have been searching for a pivot, awaiting the departure of an effective player such as Obed Vargas, Lemar or Cardoso. Alemany wants a soldier who can be a project to succeed Koke, whose contract expires in 2027. Bernal fits that profile as a young Spaniard who could develop at the Metropolitano.

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Simeone, known as El Cholo, is a fervent admirer of Bernal, a La Masia graduate, and was one of the requests made to the club’s sporting direction. The Argentine coach’s interest adds weight to the potential transfer, and Bernal has expressed enthusiasm about joining the Metropolitano under Simeone’s orders.

Negotiations and next steps

Periodista Deportivo | 17 August 2026 - 22:34 Compartir reported the situation, noting that Barcelona does not wish to let the player go. If no agreement is reached by Friday, the club’s plan B lists Luis Suárez, Lautaro Martínez and Oyarzabal as alternatives. Meanwhile, Bernal has been back in pre‑season for six days, held a brief informal meeting with Simeone, and is expected to be a substitute for the league opener against Málaga.

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Another name that shares the transfer board between Atlético and Barcelona is Julián Álvarez; the Argentine desires a blaugrana shirt while the rojiblancos block his exit, and Laporta expects the Argentine to move in a meeting with Gil Marín. The contrast between Barcelona’s attempt to secure Bernal’s future and Atlético’s pursuit as Koke’s heir highlights a pivotal midfield crossroads for both clubs, and the outcome will decide whether the young Spaniard stays in the Camp Nou project or accelerates his development on the blue‑and‑white side of Spain.