Just two months have passed since the signing of 'Papu' Gómez by Sevilla. However, at this time, the Argentine has left lights and shadows during his still short experience in the Seville team. Julen Lopetegui keeps turning the screw to find the ideal ecosystem in which to shine. But, for now, he is still very far from the best versions he showed at Atalanta and that he fell in love with so much in his adventures in European football. Precisely, Joe Tacopina, American and future owner of Catania, joked with the footballer himself about his return to the Sicilian team.
“I have spoken with the 'Papu'. When I was already negotiating for Catania, he was one of the players I thought of. We even joked about his possible arrival, but I wasn't really kidding. You I said that while I can run, I'll wait for you“confessed the Italian-American lawyer, also a former owner of Venezia and former president of Bologna. In January of this year he signed a preliminary agreement for the acquisition of the whole of Sicily, which is currently ranked 7th in the Italian Series C (the third category).
“We would be delighted to have him with us. We want you here to make a big impact. It would be a great dream for all Catania fans“added Tacopina. In addition, it was also in charge of generating hype regarding next year's signings, ensuring that he will raise the level of the team considerably. “Already for next year, the level of the players with whom we have an agreement to come to Catania to play will be extraordinary. It will be out of the competition level. It will be a wonderful season.”
The 'Papu', precisely, made the leap to Europe from the hand of Catania. With the rossazurri signed three magnificent seasons, a level that He caught the attention of even Atlético de Madrid. So much so that the Argentine was very close to signing for the rojiblanco team in 2013, as he confessed in an interview with 'El País'. “Inter and Atlético del Cholo loved me, but they weren't as well off financially as they are now and they couldn't pay what Catania was asking for. They offered six and Catania wanted ten. In the end, Atlético brought Villa for four.” After that, ended up signing for Metalist Kharkiv Ukrainian.