Outgoing Atletico Madrid star issues come-and-get-me plea to Valencia | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid will look to part ways with several players over the coming weeks and months, with plans in place to overhaul Diego Simeone’s squad ahead of the 2024-25 season kicking off in August. One player that will certainly be leaving is defender Gabriel Paulista, who only joined in January from Valencia.

The Brazilian centre-back was signed as a backup option following Caglar Soyuncu’s loan move to Fenerbahce. He penned a short-term deal which will not be extended, meaning that he is in search of a new club.

A return to Valencia could be on the cards, as Gabriel himself has welcomed a move back to the Mestalla, as he told media (via Marca) on Wednesday.

“The only feeling I have is that when I come, I come with a lot of enthusiasm to see my former colleagues, the people, the workers. I love everything, the sports city and everything. I would like to go back (to Valencia). I have spent very happy times here and my family would be very happy to come back. You never know what can happen in football.”

It would make sense for Gabriel to return to Valencia, given that he was an important player before his move to Atletico Madrid. A centre-back will be required by Ruben Baraja, with Mouctar Diakhaby still out with a serious knee injury.