Official: Papu Gómez joins Sevilla - Fee below market value after dispute at Atalanta

Dressing room dispute with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, demoted to the bench, public request for a transfer and finally being suspended – Papu Gómez’s past few weeks at Atalanta have been turbulent. Just under a week before the end of the transfer window, however, they have at least led to the desired result for the 32-year-old Argentine. The former captain of the Champions League participants has joined Sevilla.

Update 19:30 GMT: Sevilla confirmed the transfer on Wednesday evening. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract that will keep him at the LaLiga club until 2024. 

According to media reports from Italy and Spain, Gómez is already on his way to Spain and is expected to undergo a medical on Tuesday. Although the playmaker’s contract with Atalanta is still valid until 2022, the transfer fee is reportedly well below his market value, which currently stands at €15 million. While Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports €5.5 million and €3 million in possible bonuses, Spanish newspaper Marca writes of an initial amount of €5 million and potentially another €2 million in add-ons.

Gómez 2nd Atalanta's record goalscorers Click here for overview The reason for the comparatively low transfer fee is likely to be, first and foremost, Gómez’s expressed desire to leave as a result of the falling out with his manager. The problem was triggered by the Champions League match against FC Midtjylland (1-1) on December 1. At halftime, head coach Gasperini had instructed the Argentine to move from his position in central attacking midfield to the right wing. Gómez resisted and was subsequently substituted for Josip Ilicic. A public dispute then developed between coach and player, who let Atalanta fans know via social media that they would “know the truth” as soon as he left the club. The five-time international joined the Italian club from Metalist Kharkiv in 2014 and quickly became a mainstay in Atalanta’s offense. In 252 appearances for the club, Gómez was directly involved in 130 goals.

Ad: £1.7m+ paid in fantasy prizes at Footstock, 18+ UK Only