Barcelona Transfer News: Kevin Gameiro Talks Blaugrana After Atletico Move

Atletico Madrid’s new striker Kevin Gameiro has revealed he rejected the chance to join Barcelona this summer due to concerns over his playing time. 

The France international made the switch to the capital club from Sevilla last Saturday after the finest season of his career. Speaking with L’Equipe (h/t AS), the forward insisted he was not short of offers before eventually deciding to move to the Vicente Calderon:

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It’s more probable that I would have stayed in Sevilla than go to Barca. I knew that if I went there I’d be fourth-choice striker. I think my playing time would have been reduced.

[Atletico] was, more than anything, a sporting option. My agents informed me of offers at a more attractive financial level, but I wanted to stay in Spain. My finally and I like it here and La Liga is one of the best competitions.

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According to AS, the lucrative offers Gameiro mentioned came from the Premier League. The striker also revealed the influence of manager Diego Simeone was vital in him choosing to move to Atletico.

“He told me he was looking for a player like me, who was capable of providing strength in defence as well as attack,” the 29-year-old said. “Simeone wanted someone who could blend in with the group.”

The capture has been viewed as a coup for Atletico, as Gameiro blossomed at the point of then-Sevilla manager Unai Emery’s side last term. Here is a look back at some of his best moments from the campaign:

While Barcelona are an alluring proposition for any player, for someone like Gameiro, the Camp Nou club never really did seem like the right kind of fit.

Manager Luis Enrique does need to add more depth to his options at the sharp end of the pitch. But with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar having linked up so spectacularly over the past couple of seasons, anyone who does make the move to the Blaugrana would merely be playing a supporting role.

For a youngster with a lot to learn or a veteran who is seeking one more challenge, that status may be desirable. However, Gameiro, as these numbers from Squawka Football show, is in the prime of his career:

To see him sitting on the bench after such a storming campaign would have been a big shame. Gameiro has been on the fringes of teams throughout his career, whether with Paris Saint-Germain or even with Sevilla at times. It’s not a position he would want to revert back to after showing what he can do when given responsibility.

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Instead of being on the periphery of the first XI, at Atletico, he’ll likely form what looks like a potent partnership with compatriot Antoine Griezmann, who was the driving force behind Simeone’s attack last term. 

Bleacher Report UK provided us with numbers that suggest everyone should be excited about the French pairing linking up:

Gameiro does look to be an ideal fit for Atletico. He eats up the ground with his loping stride, is a strong runner and has brilliant predatory instincts in the penalty area. During Sevilla’s successful UEFA Europa League campaign last term, he showed an appetite for the big occasion, too, netting the key equaliser in the final against Liverpool.

Barcelona would have loved to have a player of such quality in reserve, but it’s understandable Gameiro opted to pursue different options. Enrique’s search for a forward goes on after strengthening other areas of the squad; finding the right deputy to the illustrious trio will be key if the Blaugrana are to succeed at the end of a long campaign.