Because the January switch window approaches, Pep Guardiola and the Manchester Metropolis board are already strategizing reinforcements after an inconsistent begin to the Premier League season. Among the many names being mentioned is Nahuel Molina, Lionel Messi’s teammate with the Argentina nationwide crew, who has just lately fallen out of favor at Atlético Madrid below Diego “Cholo” Simeone.
In response to TEAMtalk, Guardiola is eager to strengthen the right-back place — an space the place Metropolis has rotated between Kyle Walker and Rico Lewis in latest months. The report claims that the reigning Premier League champions view Molina as a cheap possibility who may match seamlessly into Guardiola’s system because of his tempo, stamina, and offensive instincts.
The 26-year-old defender, who performed a key position in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar alongside Messi, has had a tough begin to the 2025–26 marketing campaign in Spain. He’s made simply six appearances throughout all competitions, beginning solely as soon as, and logging 144 complete minutes. For a participant who as soon as appeared indispensable in Simeone’s setup, it’s been a steep drop in prominence.
A Transfer that would profit all events
Manchester Metropolis are reportedly making ready an official provide in January 2026, aiming to benefit from Molina’s unsure position and the truth that his contract with Atlético Madrid expires in mid-2027, which means the Spanish membership could also be open to negotiations.
Nahuel Molina is a controversial participant at Atlético Madrid, the place he’s not an undisputed starter.
For Molina, the transfer may characterize each a recent begin and a greater platform to take care of his beginning place in Argentina’s lineup below Lionel Scaloni, particularly with the 2026 World Cup in North America on the horizon. His chemistry with Lionel Messi has been one in every of Argentina’s strengths, significantly on the fitting flank, the place his attacking overlaps complement the captain’s playmaking.
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Atlético Madrid, in the meantime, would profit financially by offloading a participant who’s now not an everyday starter. Stories recommend that the switch payment might be round €25 million ($27 million) — an inexpensive determine for Metropolis’s deep finances and according to Guardiola’s latest desire for versatile defenders able to transitioning into midfield roles.
Molina’s monitor report with Atlético Madrid
Since becoming a member of Atlético in 2022 from Udinese, the right-back has made 141 appearances, scoring 7 objectives and offering 13 assists in 9,297 minutes of motion. His reliability and attacking mindset made him one of many standout performers in LaLiga throughout his first season, however accidents and tactical adjustments have restricted his alternatives this yr.
