Atletico de Madrid refuse to negotiate with Barcelona over Julian Alvarez

Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid have become embroiled in a public dispute over Julian Alvarez after senior figures from both clubs exchanged strong criticism during the UEFA Champions League league phase draw in Monaco on Thursday.

The row began when Atletico de Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin criticised Barcelona’s continued interest in the Argentina international. His comments came after Barcelona president Joan Laporta had publicly indicated that the Catalan club remained willing to explore a deal for the forward.

Speaking to Movistar+, Gil Marin said Alvarez was being placed in a difficult position by people attempting to influence him.

“Julian is suffering because there are people who have dedicated themselves to deceiving and confusing him. I am sorry, because I know him well. He is a great player and a great person, but he is completely confused,” he said.

Gil Marin then directed his criticism at Barcelona, expressing particular anger at the club’s ongoing public declarations about Alvarez.

“This makes us even angrier because we are disgusted by Barcelona’s falseness, lack of ethics and lack of professionalism,” he said.

He added that Atletico’s position on a possible transfer was definitive.

“We can only confirm that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances. As the general manager and the person primarily responsible for running the club, I have everyone’s support. The player will not be sold to Barcelona.”

Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste responded within minutes, also speaking to Movistar+ from Monaco. He rejected Gil Marin’s accusations and said the Atletico executive had crossed a line with his comments.

“What surprises me is that, knowing him, he was able to make these statements, which lack politeness and respect. He has crossed a red line that I do not understand at all. They are statements that anger me and I do not share them,” Yuste said.

Yuste defended Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez, insisting that the club did not believe it had acted improperly by considering a move for the striker.

“We are a club that respects our opponent, respects Atletico de Madrid and respects the players. If a player wants to come to a club, we will try to sign him,” he said.

The Barcelona vice-president also referred to an earlier meeting with Atletico president Enrique Cerezo and members of Gil Marin’s family. He said the exchange had remained courteous despite the tension surrounding Alvarez’s future.

“We exchanged greetings because people should be polite in life. We exchanged a few words with the Gil family and president Cerezo, and I told them what I had said before: we are calm and our conscience is clear,” Yuste said.

With only a few days remaining before the transfer window closes, Barcelona continue to resist treating a potential deal for Alvarez as finished. Atletico, however, remain adamant that they will never negotiate with Barcelona over the player.