Atlético Madrid’s Gabriel Paulista plans confirmed | OneFootball

An insight into the plans of the powers that be at La Liga giants Atlético Madrid when it comes to the future of defender Gabriel Paulista has today been forthcoming.

The info comes courtesy of Marca, and points towards Gabriel’s future beyond the summer as already having been all but decided.

The Brazilian, for his part, made the surprise move to Spain’s capital during the January transfer window, after coming to an agreement on the termination of his contract with La Liga rivals Valencia.

Gabriel put pen to paper on terms with Atlético through the summer, with the option to extend for a further 12 months on the part of the Rojiblancos.

If the latest word to have surfaced this week is anything to go by, however, then as much looks highly unlikely.

As per the aforementioned Marca:

‘Everything indicates that he will not continue at the club when his contract ends on June 30.’

Gabriel enjoyed a positive start to life at the Wanda Metropolitano upon his initial arrival, impressing across his early appearances at the heart of Diego Simeone’s backline.

Recent weeks, though, have seen the former Arsenal man fall altogether out of favour.

With an ankle injury having ruled him out for the next couple of gameweeks, too, Gabriel looks unlikely to be afforded a sufficient opportunity to change the minds of the Atléti brass, primed to become a free agent in the summer as a result.

Conor Laird | GSFN