But Atletico released a statement Thursday, saying its board of directors “have unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club’s decision to not negotiate the transfer of JuliAn Alvarez to Barcelona. Atetico Madrid’s stance on Julian Alvarez is now official: The Argentina star will not be sold to Barcelona. The back-and-forth between the clubs over Alvarez has made it the transfer saga of the summer in European soccer.
“Atletico Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner,” the statement read. “We fully stand behind the club’s previously communicated position that 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.”
Yet Atletico’s statement intimated that he won’t be going anywhere. Premier League champion Arsenal is also reportedly interested in signing Alvarez, whose buyout clause is reportedly 500 million euros ($582 million).
Alvarez was left out of Atletico’s squad for the Spanish league opener and was booed by the team’s fans in its second match Sunday, when he came on as a substitute.
“Atletico Madrid trust that our player will understand the decision and will remain focused on helping the club achieve its goals,” it read, “just as he has done during the two seasons he has been defending our colors. The striker did not train with Atletico on Wednesday, the same day Barcelona president Joan Laporta said his club maintained its offer to sign the 26-year-old Alvarez and that “it appears that the player wants to come to Barca.”
