- Atlético Madrid Transfer News & Rumors
Is this the end of the saga?
Atlético de Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín on Friday issued another “hands-off” warning to FC Barcelona over its continued pursuit of star forward Julián Alvarez — just over 48 hours before Alvarez and Argentina take on Spain in the FIFA World Cup final.
In a 15-minute interview posted on the club’s YouTube channel, Gil spoke on a variety of topics, including Atlético Femenino, refereeing campaigns, Antoine Griezmann’s departure and Atlético’s many representatives in Sunday’s World Cup final. But he reserved a special two-and-a-half minute segment to talk about Alvarez, whom he said the club would not sell to Barcelona even for €200 million.
”The club’s position is clear. We have made it known to the player, the fans and the Barcelona president,” Gil said. “I have no doubt that Atlético is the right place in the world for Julián, and that Julián is the perfect center-forward for Atlético de Madrid. … We do not want to sell him. We did not accept the €100 million offer, nor would we accept one of €150 million or €200 million.”
The publication of Gil’s interview has been timed perfectly in the wake of Joan Laporta’s most recent comments on the Alvarez saga. The Barcelona president reiterated from New York on Thursday that Atlético have his offer for Alvarez, but he will consider “alternatives” if Atleti remain unwilling to negotiate.
Gil in no uncertain terms has urged Laporta to go after one of those alternatives.
”I know Joan (Laporta) well enough to believe that he is constantly playing to the media and to the fans, for his own personal circus,” Gil said. “I’m not offended. I have a good personal relationship with him. I spoke to him personally. I told him ‘please, just let it go. We do not want to sell him, and we are not going to sell him. Stop insisting.’
“(Laporta) keeps this situation alive because he enjoys it,” Gil continued. “He loves maintaining this kind of relationship with the fans and the Catalan media. But he knows perfectly well that Julián will not be playing for FC Barcelona next season.”
Gil also called out Fernando Hidalgo, Alvarez’s agent, for “poorly advising” the player to ask publicly for a transfer last month. Alvarez happened to lodge his transfer request on the day that Lionel Messi broke the record for World Cup goals scored, a strategy that led to heavy criticism in Argentina as well as in Spain.
“We know Julián. We have absolutely no doubt about his character or his professionalism. Julián has been poorly advised since the end of the season, and that in some way leads me to believe that his performances, his attitude will continue to be exactly what they always have been: that of a very good player, a good person and an outstanding professional,” Gil said.
Gil’s statements Friday follow those made Thursday by club chairman Enrique Cerezo from Segovia. Cerezo likewise claimed that Alvarez would stay at Atlético next season despite Barcelona’s pursuit and amid escalating interest from Premier League champions Arsenal.
It is clear that Gil and Cerezo are echoing Apollo Sports Capital’s stance on selling Alvarez to Barcelona — and quite possibly anywhere else — one month before the 2026/27 season begins. Atlético already have filed a formal complaint to FIFA and RFEF that alleges improper negotiations between Hidalgo and Barça during the “protected period” in between transfer windows. It should be obvious to all, except those spreading hoaxes from Barcelona’s infamous entorno, that Alvarez is not going to join Barça. The club really can’t be more adamant than this.
Thus, the plan as of today is for Alvarez to return to Madrid and get back to work after his holiday. He will stay because he has a long-term contract, and Atlético will make an example of him for treating the club as a stepping stone.
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Source: Into The Calderon
