Atlético sign “new Pedri” despite Arsenal, Barcelona interest

Atlético de Madrid has completed the signing of Spanish under-21 midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza from Elche for a base fee of €16 million, with an additional €4 million in potential add-ons. The deal, confirmed just before midnight on Monday, avoids his €20 million release clause and secures the player on a contract until 2031.

The club moved quickly in negotiations to beat reported competition from Arsenal, other Premier League sides, and FC Barcelona. Despite having only six La Liga starts, the transfer makes Mendoza Elche's record sale.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who has drawn comparisons to Barcelona's Pedri, made 44 appearances in Spain's second division over the past two seasons. This season, he has played 16 La Liga games for Elche, scoring one goal in 794 minutes, and has featured four times for the Spain U-21 team.

Atlético turned to Mendoza after failing to secure other midfield targets, including Atalanta's Éderson and Sporting Clube's Morten Hjulmand. The signing follows the collapse of a separate verbal agreement to sign striker Marcos Leonardo from Al-Hilal.

Manager Diego Simeone will now integrate the technically gifted Mendoza, who impressed in a draw against Atlético earlier this season, into a midfield that includes Pablo Barrios. The signing aims to bolster the squad as Atlético competes in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals and the Champions League knockout stages, while currently sitting 10 points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

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