Atletico Madrid president takes personal stand against Julian Alvarez transfer

Atletico de Madrid president Miguel Angel Gil Marin has personally pledged to prevent Julian Alvarez from joining either Barcelona or Real Madrid, according to Spanish journalist Ruben Uria.

Alvarez remains Barcelona’s main target as the Catalan club seeks to strengthen its attack, but Atletico are refusing to negotiate over a move for the Argentina forward. The dispute has become increasingly complicated, with Gil Marin said to be determined to block any transfer.

Real Madrid announced in an official statement at the beginning of June that it had submitted a €150m offer for Alvarez.

Uria, who specialises in reporting on Atletico de Madrid, said on his YouTube channel that Gil Marin viewed the interest from both Spanish giants as an attempt to undermine his club.

“Gil Marin is convinced that Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted to humiliate Atletico de Madrid in front of everyone through Julian Alvarez. Therefore, he was firm and treated it as a personal matter, for Atletico’s image and out of his personal pride. That is why he has already told Julian himself and his agent Fernando Hidalgo that he will not go to Barcelona or Real Madrid,” Uria said.

He added: “If there are no negotiations over the Argentine’s transfer to Spotify Camp Nou, it is because of the clear will of Atletico’s chief executive.”

The report says people close to Alvarez are deeply disappointed with Gil Marin. They believe the Atletico president failed to honour a promise to help the striker leave the Riyadh Air Metropolitano if that was what the player wanted.

Alvarez also reportedly feels he has not been treated fairly by the club official. Before the current dispute, Gil Marin had told him about a year ago that his contract would be improved, but that change did not happen.

Despite the tension, Uria said Alvarez is not currently considering an open rebellion or planning to miss Atletico’s pre-season preparations.

The forward is scheduled to report for training on Monday, 10 August, when he will attend the club’s facilities to begin preparations for the 2026-27 season.

Alvarez intends to maintain a professional approach and train under manager Diego Simeone because he does not want to breach his contract with Atletico de Madrid.

A four-way meeting could also take place on the same day involving Gil Marin, Simeone, Mateu Alemany and Alvarez. The meeting would be intended to clarify the situation and establish the next stage in the continuing uncertainty over the Argentine’s future.

Alvarez still dreams of moving to Barcelona, but Atletico’s stance means any potential transfer remains dependent on a major change in the position of Gil Marin, who has taken direct responsibility for preventing the player from joining either of Spain’s two most prominent clubs.