Atlético Madrid will not negotiate with Barcelona and are giving “zero consideration” to wantaway Julian Alvarez moving to the Nou Camp, the club’s board of directors have announced.
The tension and noise around a transfer saga that has dominated the close season is only growing as Tuesday’s transfer deadline edges closer.
Alvarez revealed during the World Cup that he wanted to leave Atlético, who rejected an offer from Real Madrid in June and have rebuffed Barça’s interest.
Premier League champions Arsenal are also keen on signing the Argentina international, who two years ago left Manchester City for the Metropolitano.
But the Nou Camp is the 26-year-old’s preferred destination. Atléti have repeatedly stressed that they have no intention of selling to their LaLiga rivals.
The club doubled down on Thursday in a press release declaring that the board of directors have “unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club’s decision to not negotiate the transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona.”
The statement added: “Atlético 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 continued in their press release: “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.”
Alvarez was left out of Diego Simeone’s squad for their opener against Malaga and was jeered by his own fans after appearing off the bench in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the Metropolitano.
The Argentina international, whose deal runs until 2030, went straight down the tunnel after the game and missed training on Wednesday. Illness was cited as the reason and he was reportedly absent again on Thursday.
Outspoken Barça president Joan Laporta was quoted on Wednesday as saying that the Catalan club remain “very interested in signing” Alvarez.
Reports say Atlético filed a complaint about Barcelona’s conduct to the Spanish football federation (RFEF) at the end of July.
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