To avoid any new obstacles, Barcelona president Joan Laporta decided to take over the negotiations himself and open a direct channel of communication with Enrique Cerezo.

Since then, the two club presidents have agreed to maintain direct communication to discuss the transfer, which both sides consider complicated but still ongoing despite the public stance taken by Atlético Madrid.

The delay in negotiations is also due to strategic considerations. Barcelona understands that Atlético Madrid will not easily agree to the departure of one of its most important stars before securing a replacement of the same level.

For this reason, the Catalan club has decided to give Atlético Madrid enough time to work in the transfer market in the coming weeks, something Laporta hinted at in his statements.

The goal is for conditions to become more favorable after the World Cup ends, allowing the deal to be finalized.