Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo have almost agreed all the details for Augusto Fernandez to move to Vicente Calderon but there remains one sticking point.
AS reports the clubs have yet to settle on a date for when the midfielder can begin working with his new team, as Diego Simeone wants Augusto from December 28.
Eduardo Berizzo wants to be able to play Augusto on December 30, however, in the match against Athletic Bilbao, and it is the Galicians who have the upper hand as they have to tie up their agreement for Augusto with Velez Sarsfield.
Velez own half of Augusto’s rights and Celta will have to buy out the Argentines before they can sell Augusto to Atleti, as Atleti only want to deal with Celta and not both clubs at once.
Celta and Velez aren’t close to an agreement as a clause in the contract says Celta have to pay €1.7m, but so far are only offering €1m.
Velez are suffering financial issues which may be what Celta are aiming to take advantage to save money, and in the process get to stall on the sale of their captain.
Augusto wants the move to Atletico and will be on a three-year contract at €1.8m, but his performance against Granada on Sunday suggests he hasn’t lessened his efforts for his current club and, AS notes, shows why Berizzo wants him available against Athletic.
Berizzo is also short a midfielder as Nemanja Radoja, seen as Augusto’s replacement in the Celta squad, is recovering from hernia surgery.
