Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atletico Madrid, has firmly stated that Julian Alvarez is not for sale, directly responding to Barcelona’s strong interest in signing the striker this summer transfer window.
The Catalan giants have reportedly launched an official €100 million bid to convince Atletico to part ways with the Argentine forward. For his part, Alvarez is said to be open to a move to the Blaugrana.
However, speaking to the media about Alvarez’s future, Cerezo left no room for speculation:
“He is an Atletico Madrid player, and not just for this season, but for many years to come.”
He further added: “We are constantly working to bring the best talent to our squad. We still have plenty of time to scout, monitor, and sign top players.”
Why Barcelona Face a Deadline in the Julian Alvarez Race
Cerezo’s firm stance comes amid widespread reports from the Spanish media confirming that Atletico Madrid have rejected Barcelona’s initial €100m offer.
While Los Colchoneros are not entirely against selling Julian Alvarez for a massive fee, they are highly reluctant to sell him to a direct La Liga rival like Barcelona. Furthermore, relations between the board of directors at Barca and Atletico have collapsed in recent months, significantly complicating any potential transfer negotiations.
According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, Atletico Madrid would only consider selling Alvarez to Barcelona under one condition: a jaw-dropping €150 million offer. Given the current financial constraints facing Joan Laporta’s administration, matching this valuation seems nearly impossible.
