Joan Laporta announced that Barcelona will stick to the signing of Julian Alvarez until the last minute of the transfer market, confirming that the offer made to Atletico Madrid will remain in place until the closing of the Mercato.
Barcelona had moved to sign Alvarez since the beginning of the summer, but Atletico categorically refused to sell the 26-year-old to the Catalan club precisely because of what they considered a lack of respect for them in negotiating with the player, who is tied to a long-term contract in the Spanish capital.
Barça made an offer of 100 million euros, and the Blaugrana are said to be willing to make the offer up to 130 million euros if necessary, and the management recently decided to either sign Alvarez or continue this season without a new striker.
The Barcelona president said in new statements: “We are still very interested in Julian Alvarez, we would like to accept our offer, and we do so with all due respect to Atletico Madrid.”
“We want Atletico to know that if they are willing to sell Julian during the summer transfer market, we are ready to buy him, provided we reach an agreement on the offer we made.”
Laporta stressed the strength of the relationship between the two clubs, saying: “We have a lot of respect for Atletico Madrid and its management, and we have known each other for years, and I confirmed Barcelona’s offer during a call with Miguel Ángel Gil.”
The president of the Catalan club revealed the development that brought the deal back to the forefront: “We have received information that Atletico Madrid want to sell the player, and it is clear that our offer will remain in force until the end of the market.”
Alvarez endured a difficult time after announcing his intention to leave, as he was booed during Villarreal’s match at the Metropolitano Stadium. The whistles began when his name was announced, then repeated during the warm-up and when he came on as a substitute, before heading straight to the dressing room after the 2-2 draw by the club to protect him.
