Nahuel Molina, the Argentine right-back, has officially transferred from Atlético Madrid to AS Roma, marking the end of a four-year tenure in the Spanish capital. This move was confirmed by both clubs on Wednesday, as Roma looks to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming season.
Upon his arrival in Rome on Monday, Molina was welcomed by a throng of enthusiastic AS Roma supporters, eager to see the talented defender return to Italian football. To commemorate his departure, Molina shared an emotional message on Instagram, reflecting on his time at Atlético Madrid, where he participated in 181 matches across all competitions.
“Today, after four years, it’s time for me to say goodbye to this great club,” Molina expressed in his post. He extended his gratitude to his teammates, coaching staff, and the fans, who he described as the heart of Atlético. His time at the club featured both highs and lows, but Molina's contributions were significant during his spell in LaLiga.
AS Roma's pursuit of Molina came after their initial interest in Feyenoord's Givairo Read fell through. The club's management, led by coach Gian Piero Gasperini, recognized Molina's prior experience in Serie A, where he previously excelled at Udinese. His familiarity with the league is expected to be an asset as Roma prepares for a competitive season, including participation in the UEFA Champions League following their third-place finish in Serie A last year.
Reports indicate that Molina has signed a four-year contract with AS Roma, which is set to pay him €2.7 million annually. The transfer fee agreed upon between Atlético and Roma is believed to be between €17 million and €19 million, including potential bonuses. This deal comes as Atlético Madrid seeks to generate funds for new signings, particularly a center-back, with Cristian Romero, a fellow Argentine and Tottenham Hotspur defender, being a primary target.
During his time at Atlético, Molina's role evolved, and he often found himself as a substitute. In the 2025/26 LaLiga season, he made only 13 starts, which led to criticism from fans regarding his consistency and defensive reliability. His performance in the World Cup final against Spain also highlighted some of these concerns, despite his ability to contribute offensively.
Molina's attacking prowess as a right-back, particularly his ability to score long-range goals, will likely fit well into Gasperini's dynamic attacking system at Roma. Over his Atlético career, he netted nine goals, including memorable strikes against rivals like Getafe and Real Madrid.
As for Atlético Madrid, they do not plan to sign a direct replacement for Molina. Coach Diego Simeone has several options available, including World Cup winners Marcos Llorente and Marc Pubill, as well as Javi Boñar, who impressed during his appearances last season. This strategic decision reflects Atlético's focus on optimizing their current squad while preparing for the new season.
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