Atlético Madrid Strikes a Smart Deal with Mexican Forward
Quietly and without much noise, Atlético Madrid once again proves its financial savvy, cashing in on a deal involving Germán Berterame, who is close to a move to Inter Miami.
The transfer market has once again put Germán Berterame in the spotlight. The Argentine-born, Mexican international forward is on the verge of leaving Liga MX to join Inter Miami, where he would become a teammate of Lionel Messi. Beyond the sporting impact of the move, the deal includes a strategic financial twist that directly benefits Atlético Madrid, a club that continues to profit from a player who never actually featured for its first team.
A Release Clause That Activates Atlético’s Business Plan
Inter Miami’s interest is centered on triggering Berterame’s release clause, set at $15 million. If the transfer goes through, Monterrey would receive the majority of the fee, but they would not be the only winners. Atlético Madrid still owns 30% of the player’s economic rights, a detail that would see the Spanish club pocket close to $5 million from the operation.
That figure becomes even more impressive when considering the striker’s path. Back in 2019, Atlético Madrid signed Germán Berterame from San Lorenzo for just $1 million. Although he was never part of Diego Simeone’s sporting plans, the investment has proven to be a resounding success from a financial standpoint.
From Liga MX to MLS, with Guaranteed Profits
After arriving in the Atlético orbit, Berterame was sent to Atlético San Luis, where he built a solid reputation in Mexican football. His consistency and goal-scoring ability quickly caught the attention of Monterrey, who secured his signing in 2022 for $6 million in exchange for 70% of his rights. Crucially, the colchoneros retained a strategic percentage that is now paying off.
With Berterame now poised to head to MLS following his involvement with the Mexico national team, the business cycle comes full circle. When adding the initial sale and the expected income from the release clause, Atlético Madrid stands to earn around $10 million from a player who never wore their shirt in competitive action.
On-Field Numbers That Justify the Investment
Beyond the balance sheets, the forward backed up his market value on the pitch. With Monterrey, he tallied 68 goals and 16 assists in 153 appearances, while at Atlético San Luis he added 31 goals and five assists in 93 matches. Those numbers explain why he has become an attractive target for an ambitious project like Inter Miami.
