Atlético can sign Jonathan David for €25m in June, but Juventus must wait

Jonathan David’s start at Atlético Madrid has given the Spanish club a reason to keep him, but it has not prompted an immediate commitment to buy. The Canadian has scored three goals and provided two assists in seven appearances this season; Atlético’s €25 million purchase option is due to be exercised in June.

Sporting director Mateu Alemany pushed back on reports that Atlético were ready to pay the fee now. He said there was “no real news” and that the clubs had agreed an option for June, adding that there was enough time and that Atlético were focused on their current competitions. His comments leave the decision open rather than confirming a permanent move.

David joined Atlético on loan from Juventus, so the timing matters to the Italian club as well. Atlético have a route to retain a forward who has started productively in Madrid, while Juventus will have to wait months to learn whether the €25m option is taken. The agreed price is the current basis of the arrangement; Alemany has not announced a change to it.

Diego Simeone has publicly backed David’s potential. The Atlético coach said the club wanted the player who had excelled in France before joining Juventus. David’s early contribution suggests he is giving Atlético a reason to consider keeping him, but Alemany’s remarks make clear that good form has not brought the decision forward.

Calciomercato reported that Atlético had considered notifying Juventus of an intention to make the move permanent. That possibility sits alongside Alemany’s denial of an immediate purchase, not in place of it. The distinction is important: interest in keeping David is not the same as exercising the option now.

Tuttosport has raised the possibility of a repeat of the Nico González situation, warning that Atlético could wait and use Juventus’ position with a player it sees as outside its plans to seek a discount. That is the newspaper’s concern, not an agreed change in the terms. Tuttosport also argues there may be no reason for the €25m fee to come down.

For Juventus, currently seventh in Serie A with 11 points from six matches, the uncertainty will continue while the club waits for Atlético’s decision. Juventus host Lazio on Sunday, October 18, but David’s future is not an immediate transfer question: the key date in the agreement is June.