The transfer saga that involved Gelson Martins has finally come to an end, with Atletico Madrid announcing they have signed the player on a six-year deal. The Portuguese winger attracted great attention after his impressive 2017/18 campaign and the fact that he was no longer under contract with Sporting Lisbon.
He and a number of his team-mates were attacked by their own fans after failing to secure Champions League qualification for the Primeira Liga side. As a result, the 23-year-old rescinded his deal with the club only to complete a free transfer to Spain, as stated by Los Rojiblancos on Wednesday.
.@GelsonMartins_ is a new Atlético player.
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) July 25, 2018
https://t.co/RmvIfpeOik#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/ipJ95RrOog
However, the signing of Martins could still cost the Spanish giant a substantial fee. The fact that Simeone's side announced this as a free transfer means Sporting Lisbon is likely to come after the Europa League holder in seek of a compensation fee.
This transfer could result in a similar fiasco that Wolves faces for signing Rui Patricio, another man who terminated his contract with Leões, for nothing. The Portuguese outfit has filed a complaint to FIFA demanding $63m from the newly-promoted Premier League outfit due to a lack of necessary "just cause" for the player to cancel his deal.
Furthermore, Sporting has asked that the goalkeeper be banned for six months and Wolves be slapped with a transfer window ban. Whether they will make the same demands against Atletico remains unknown, but they will likely push for a compensation fee which Football Espana editor Colin Millar estimates at $53m.
Atletico Madrid sign Gelson Martins as a 'free agent' but Sporting CP may demand up to €45m for deal. Similar to Wolves signing of Rui Patricio. Initially reported as a free transfer but likely eventual cost exceeding €30m.
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) July 25, 2018
Proof that this is a plausible outcome is the fact that the Madrid heavyweight tried and failed to reach an agreement over Martins' transfer with the Lisbon club even after he had canceled his contract. A compromise between both clubs could be reached to avoid a long battle.