Atletico Madrid have hit again at feedback from Barcelona president Joan Laporta over the switch saga surrounding Julian Alvarez, insisting there’s a “0% probability” of him being bought to their LaLiga rivals.
Alvarez, who’s beneath contract on the Metropolitano till 2030, said his want to fulfil his “dream” by transferring to Barcelona through the World Cup.
The Argentina ahead was booed and walked straight down the tunnel at full-time of Atletico’s LaLiga opener, a 2-2 draw with Villarreal, having come on as a second-half substitute.
Alvarez missed coaching on Wednesday, with the previous Manchester Metropolis attacker reported as affected by sickness.
Atletico reply after Laporta interview
Arsenal nonetheless retain an curiosity in Alvarez, and the involvement of the Premier League champions is seemingly influencing Barca in maintaining the general public strain on Atletico.
“Earlier than something, we have now the utmost respect for Atletico de Madrid and a private appreciation for his or her executives as nicely, as a result of we’ve identified one another for a few years,” Laporta mentioned in an interview posted to Barcelona’s social media channels on Wednesday.
“This complete scenario has created loads of noise. This isn’t motivated by actions taken by Barca. It’s motivated by the truth that Atletico instructed us they weren’t promoting [Alvarez]. Nevertheless, it seems like, from what we hear now [Atletico reportedly being open to selling to Arsenal], they’re attempting to succeed in agreements with different golf equipment.
“I need to inform [CEO] Enrique Cerezo, with all of the respect as a result of I admire him loads, that Barca have been as much as the requirements required on this scenario, in the identical approach we do with different golf equipment.
“It occurred to us on this window with Manchester Metropolis, in addition to different golf equipment. We strategy them to see in the event that they need to promote certainly one of their gamers. Once they inform us they don’t promote, we let it go. However on this case, there are particular circumstances which have been made conscious Atletico de Madrid need to promote the participant to different golf equipment.
“With this context, our curiosity and provide for the participant stays up till the top of the window, in case Atletico de Madrid need to promote the participant. We’re very serious about shopping for Julian Alvarez. We wish our provide to be accepted. We are saying it with all of the respect in direction of Atletico de Madrid.
“We would like them to know that in the event that they ever are open to promoting the participant earlier than the top of the summer season switch window, we’d be prepared to purchase him.”
Atletico responded in an announcement reported by Marca: “The participant is being portrayed because the sufferer, however the one sufferer of the Julian case is us.
“They’ve harmed us economically and socially. There’s 0% probability of promoting him to Barca. This example will not be about cash, it’s about dignity.
“Theres a marketing campaign with many lies and half-truths. The one one who pays for that is Atletico.”
