When Osasuna's Jesús Arezo turned to join Athletic Bilbao, Atlético Madrid's transfer team didn't hesitate for a second – they quickly locked in 22-year-old, 1.90m-tall Almería defender Marc Puebla as their new right-back target. The red-and-white club announced the signing with lightning speed, adding another "youth puzzle piece" to their summer transfer haul.
The plot twist came on Tuesday: after confirming Arezo would permanently join Athletic Bilbao, Atlético immediately activated their backup plan, turning their focus to Puebla at Almería. By then, the 2003-born youngster had already become a hot commodity in the transfer market. England's Wolverhampton even tabled a €15 million offer, with Italian clubs also keeping a close eye. But Atlético made a surprise late move, hijacking the promising defender – who shares an agent with Arezo – for a deal worth €12 million in fixed fees plus a potential €7 million in add-ons.
On Wednesday, Puebla arrived in Madrid, completed paperwork, and headed straight to the Majadahonda training ground to meet Diego Simeone and his new teammates. He is set to sign a five-year contract until 2030, pending a medical – a mere formality for the Olympic champion. Notably, he joins fellow Olympic champions Rodrigo Barrios and Álex Baena in the squad; their arrivals perfectly align with Atlético's "youth development plan": all five summer signings were born in the 21st century, another bet by sporting director Carlos Bucero balancing short-term competitiveness and long-term growth.
Puebla is far more than a simple "replacement". Standing at 1.90m, he can take on attacking responsibilities down the flank while shoring up defense with his physical presence. Last season in Spain's second division, he contributed 1 goal and 4 assists in 2,824 minutes of action, delivering standout performances even as his team missed out on promotion playoffs. At the U21 European Championship, despite his side's early exit, he still scored a goal under Santi Denia's guidance and showcased his versatility alongside Juanlu in a dual-wing setup.
With the arrival of the Terrassa-born full-back, Atlético's summer signings now include Ruggeri, Baena, Almada, Cardoso, and Puebla. Next, the club will shift their transfer focus to central defense, with Chelsea's 21-year-old Renato Veiga as their top target – a deal that would mark their sixth signing of the summer.
From the disappointment of missing out on Arezo to the decisive signing of Puebla, Atlético has proven its sharp instincts in the transfer market. Can the 22-year-old Olympic champion fulfill his potential at the Wanda Metropolitano? What sparks will he ignite with Simeone's tough-tackling system? The answers will unfold in next season's La Liga campaign.
