I think the Atletico talks and PsG links probably surfaced after those clubs probably got a sniff of him returning to Argentina, which seems like his most likely destination. The proble, with a return to Boca, is that nothing can really change his mind because it's a decision he's making with his heart. I feel like he probably told his teammates and the club about this decision already. In his mind, he also knows, this CL run in all likelihood will not happen next season, and if he's going back, he might as well leave on this high.
I'd feel bad for Carlitos to leave, and I think it's a huge loss for the club, because the frontline suddenly seems a lot thinner. That apart, a potential Pirlo departure, all in one summer, will certainly have a psychological bearing on the team and other players, which will look for new reference points. Clearly, there are very few adequate replacements for a player this important to the team, se are going to be in for a longer season than most of us would imagine. Dybala better be all that. And more.