AliousWolves Left Powerless as Atletico Madrid Swoop Exposes Fatal Flaw in Marc Pubill Pursuit – Transfer Collapse Was Inevitable From the Start
Wolves’ hopes of signing Marc Pubill have crumbled in dramatic fashion, and it turns out they were fighting a losing battle from the very beginning.
The Molineux club had identified the 22-year-old as the ideal successor to Nelson Semedo following his strong campaign with Almeria. Negotiations were well advanced, and Wolves believed they were on the verge of sealing the deal.
But in a stunning twist, Atletico Madrid entered the race at the final hour**, offering Pubill something Wolves simply couldn’t compete with — the chance to play Champions League football while staying in his home country.
According to Marca, the real kicker is that Pubill never actually wanted to leave Spain in the first place. While a transfer to the Premier League was almost finalised, the defender had always hoped to remain in La Liga. Barcelona and Real Betis had reportedly considered him, but it was Atletico’s late intervention that turned the tide.
Once Diego Simeone’s side made their move, the decision was practically instantaneous. The Spanish giants finalized terms with Pubill in just a matter of hours, making good on his wish to stay on home soil.
For Wolves, this latest blow continues a pattern of heartbreak in the transfer market. Back in January, manager Vitor Pereira thought he had secured Manu Silva to strengthen the midfield — only for the player to sign with **Benfica** in a last-minute U-turn.
Now, history repeats itself. Despite laying the groundwork and having the structure of a deal in place, Wolves were helpless once a bigger name club with a more attractive offer came knocking.
With the search for Semedo’s replacement still ongoing, this failed move for Pubill is a stark reminder of the harsh realities of modern football — sometimes, no matter how close you get, the odds are stacked against you from the outset.
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