Atlético Madrid move for Nicolás Tagliafico collapses over registration limits

Atlético Madrid’s deadline-day move for Nicolás Tagliafico has collapsed despite an agreement being reached for the Lyon defender.

AS reports that Atlético had lined up a loan deal for the 34-year-old and had secured the player’s approval, but were ultimately unable to create sufficient salary space to register him before the Spanish transfer deadline.

The move had developed rapidly after Atlético entered the race for Tagliafico earlier on Tuesday. Juventus had previously reached an agreement with Lyon and the Argentina international, but their pursuit depended on Juan Cabal leaving Turin.

That exit failed to materialise after negotiations over Cabal’s proposed move to Atalanta collapsed, effectively removing Juventus from the race and opening the door for Atlético.

Tagliafico subsequently gave his approval to a move to Madrid, where Diego Simeone was looking to add another option at left-back alongside Alejandro Grimaldo.

A separate complication emerged in France when Lyon were unable to register Youssouf Fofana, who had been lined up as part of their deadline-day squad restructuring. However, AS reports that the decisive problem was Atlético’s inability to generate enough room within their salary limits to register Tagliafico.

The defender therefore remains at Lyon, where his contract runs until June 2027.

Tagliafico joined the French club from Ajax in 2022 and has since become an experienced part of Lyon’s defensive group while continuing to feature for Argentina at international level.

The outcome represents a significant change from the earlier deadline-day picture. Atlético had progressed from initial talks to an agreement and had the player’s approval, but the transfer could not be completed because of registration constraints.

The move should therefore now be treated as collapsed rather than developing, with no indication that Atlético can revive it after the closure of the Spanish transfer window.