Obed Vargas Nears Atletico Madrid Exit With Loan Move to Alaves

Two league matchdays without even making the squad list, and a future that appears set to be decided hundreds of miles from Madrid. That is where things stand today for Obed Vargas, the Mexican midfielder Atletico Madrid signed just a few months ago and who is now on track to leave on loan.

The most likely destination is Alaves. Negotiations picked up speed over the weekend and, while nothing has been signed yet, both sides have been working since Friday to finalize an agreement. There is, however, one condition that could speed things up or slow them down: the Vitoria club first needs to move on from Antonio Blanco by placing him at another team. If that exit gets resolved in a way that works for both the player and the club, the path for Vargas to arrive on loan would be essentially clear.

It is not as if the Mexican lacks suitors. As ESPN learned last week, his name was also being discussed in the front offices of Sevilla, Real Betis, Valencia and Getafe. Still, those close to the player favor Vitoria for two specific reasons: they believe he will get more consistent playing time as a starter there, something that is not guaranteed at a big club like Atletico, and they value how Quique Sanchez Flores tends to handle young players who join his squad.

From Long-Term Project to Off the Squad List

Atletico brought in Vargas during the winter transfer window from Seattle Sounders FC, viewing him as a medium-term project. The second half of last season backed up that bet: the Mexican played in 13 matches, eight of them as a starter, and steadily carved out a role in the rotation.

But the start of this season has told a different story. He did not even make the squad for either of the first two league matchdays, and people inside the club are already privately acknowledging that a loan move is all but certain. Diego Simeone himself chose not to risk him given the possibility of injury, aware that his departure is already well advanced.

Alaves have confirmed that talks are underway, though they stress that everything depends on first sorting out Blanco's situation. A source at the Vitoria club put it plainly:

Antonio Blanco's exit needs to be good for both the club and the player.Alaves source

Until that piece falls into place, Vargas will keep waiting. But all signs point to the Mexican midfielder playing this season away from the Metropolitano, barring any surprises.