Atletico Madrid have released a fresh statement insisting the club will not sell striker Julian Alvarez to Barcelona.
The 26-year-old forward has made it clear that he would like to join Barcelona, while Arsenal continue to monitor the situation and may move to make a late deal for the Argentina international. He was booed during a substitute appearance in Atletico’s draw with Villarreal on Sunday night and missed a midweek match due to “illness”.
Now Atletico have insisted Alvarez will not be leaving for Barcelona, in a statement released by the club’s board.
“The members of Atlético de Madrid’s Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club’s decision to not negotiate the transfer of Julián Alvarez to FC Barcelona.
“The members of the Board of Directors acknowledge that Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. We fully stand behind the club’s previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be any negotiation and there is zero consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona.
“Atlético de Madrid trust that our player will understand the decision and will remain focused on helping the club achieve its goals, just as he has done during the two seasons he has been defending our colours.”
Earlier this week, Atletico insisted there is “zero per cent chance” they sell Alvarez to Barcelona and claimed they are “the only victims” in the protracted transfer saga.
Atletico have made it clear throughout the summer that they do not want to sell Alvarez, who is under contract until 2030. After Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed his club’s interest in Alvarez and urged Atletico to accept their offer, Atletico released a furious statement on Wednesday accusing Barcelona and Alvarez’s representatives of creating a “campaign of lies and half-truths”.
“The player is being portrayed as a victim, but the only victims in the Julian case are us,” Atletico told Spanish outlet Marca. “They have harmed us economically and socially. There is zero per cent chance of selling him to Barca.”
Marca reported that Atletico claimed the Alvaraz saga “is not about money, it is about dignity”. The club added: “A campaign has been created with many lies and half-truths. The only one who pays for this is Atletico.”
There is one week to go until the transfer deadline closes and so far Barcelona’s only offer for Alvarez was tabled at €100m (£86m). Atletico want Alvarez to be fit for their trip to Sevilla in LaLiga on Saturday evening.
Arsenal continue to work on a deal for Alvarez despite their understanding that the player’s preference is to join Barcelona. They believe Atletico could yet sell Alvarez if they receive an acceptable offer by the end of the week.
The Independent reported that Arsenal could offer Atletico another forward as part of a deal, such as Viktor Gyokeres or Gabriel Jesus, with Mikel Arteta keen to build his attack around the former Manchester City attacker.
