Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas will remain at Atletico Madrid for the 2026-27 campaign after the club decided not to send him out on loan. The closure of the transfer window confirmed the player's continuity.
Atleti completed their final moves with three loan exits. Uruguayan centre-back José María Giménez moved to Deportivo de La Coruña. Frenchman Thomas Lemar will play this season at Elche. Meanwhile, striker Carlos Martín became a new player for Almería, also on loan. The red-and-white squad, sitting third in La Liga with seven points, is now set for the upcoming challenges.
The decision to keep Obed Vargas was made in the final hours of the transfer market. The player, who arrived at Atletico from Seattle Sounders last season, had participated in the team's pre-season. However, he had not appeared in the matchday squads for the league games against Malaga and Villarreal. He also lost the number 21 shirt he previously wore. Despite that context, the club valued keeping him within the first-team dynamic.
COPE stated that "the Mexican midfielder will finally not go out on loan and will continue as an Atletico Madrid player for the 2026-27 season". Sevilla had been one of the clubs considered as a possible destination for the footballer, but no exit materialised in the end. Simeone's team heads into the season with a record of seven goals scored and three conceded, a +4 goal difference.
The decision on Vargas comes as Atletico Madrid sits third in the table, just two points behind leaders Barcelona. The team has recorded two wins and a draw in its first three matches, with a recent form of WDW. This solid start could provide a stable environment for players like Vargas to adapt and compete for minutes.
Keeping a player with Vargas's attributes adds depth to the midfield. His continuity represents a bet on internal development following an investment made last season.
Atletico Madrid's immediate focus shifts to the pitch. The next league fixture is a trip to San Mamés to face Athletic Club on September 5th. The Bilbao side currently occupies twelfth place in the table.
The retention of Obed Vargas closes the chapter on summer departures. The Mexican player will now have the chance to prove his worth within a project seeking to stay in the fight at the top. The team travels to Bilbao with the confidence of a solid season start and the definitive squad now in place.
