Headline: Atletico Madrid Chief Executive Rules Out Sale of Julian Alvarez to Barcelona
Atletico Madrid’s chief executive, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, has firmly stated that Julian Alvarez will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona. However, he has not completely dismissed the possibility of the Argentina international moving to another club ahead of the transfer deadline.
Earlier this summer, Alvarez expressed a desire to join Barcelona, yet tensions between the two Spanish clubs have deteriorated over the transfer negotiations. Gil Marin has openly criticized Barcelona, alleging “dishonesty” and a lack of “professionalism.”
Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, reaffirmed the club’s interest in Alvarez despite Atletico’s unwavering stance. Following Laporta’s comments, Atletico Madrid released a statement confirming there is a “zero per cent chance” of Alvarez transferring to Camp Nou.
“Our intention and my personal dream is for him to stay with us, to remain at Atletico,” Gil Marin told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus on Thursday, shortly after the Champions League draw in Monaco. “To compete amongst the greats, you need great players, and Julian is one. If he believes that staying at Atletico Madrid is no longer feasible, we will look for an alternative, but it will never, ever be Barcelona.”
Gil Marin’s remarks intensify the ongoing conflict between Atletico and Barcelona. According to The Independent, Atletico has set a Friday deadline for a resolution regarding Alvarez’s future, especially as the player missed training sessions earlier this week.
Arsenal remains optimistic about securing a deal with Atletico before the transfer window closes. However, the Premier League champions have yet to present an official offer, as manager Mikel Arteta seeks to finalize a key attacking signing to strengthen their title defense.
Gil Marin has stated that Atletico will not engage in negotiations with Barcelona. This development paves the way for Arsenal to express their interest as the deadline approaches. Alvarez faced jeers from Atletico fans during their recent draw with Villarreal, indicating he may not wish to represent Atletico this season.
“This situation outrages us further. We are disgusted by the dishonesty, the lack of ethics, transparency, and professionalism,” Gil Marin noted. “I have the support of everyone working with me, from shareholders to directors, and the only certain and firm decision is that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances; you have my word – which is one of the few things I possess – the player will most certainly not be transferred to Barcelona.”
Arsenal target Julian Alvarez will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona, according to Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin, who did not rule out the possibility of the Argentina international joining another club instead before the transfer deadline.
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Alvarez made it clear earlier this summer that he wanted to join Barcelona but relations between the Spanish clubs have completely broken down over the transfer saga, with Gil Marin accusing Barcelona of “dishonesty” and a lack of “professionalism”.
Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta said on Wednesday that they were still interested in Alvarez despite Atletico’s stance, with Atletico then releasing a statement to confirm there was “zero per cent chance” of Alvarez moving to Camp Nou.
“Our intention and my personal dream is for him to stay with us, to remain at Atletico,” Gil Martin told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus after Thursday’s Champions League league phase draw in Monaco.
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“To compete amongst the greats, you need great players, and Julian is one. If he believes that staying at Atletico Madrid is no longer feasible, we will look for an alternative, but it will never, ever be Barcelona.”
Gil Marin’s comments are the latest escalation in Atletico’s row with Barcelona. The Independent has reported that Atletico have set a Friday deadline for Alvarez’s future to be decided, with the forward missing consecutive training sessions this week.
Arsenal are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Atletico late in the window, but the Premier League champions have yet to submit an offer as Mikel Arteta eyes a marquee attacking signing to bolster their title defence.
Gil Marin told Movistar Plus that Atletico are refusing to negotiate with Barcelona, opening the door to Arsenal to declare their interest before the deadline. Alvarez was booed by Atletico supporters during their draw with Villarreal on Sunday and seemingly has no interest in playing for Atletico this season.
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“The truth is that it outrages us even more. We are repulsed by the dishonesty, the lack of ethics, transparency and professionalism, and we can only insist that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances,” Gil Marin said.
‘I have the support of everyone working with me, from shareholders to directors, and the only certain and firm decision is that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances; you have my word – which is one of the few things I have – the player will most certainly not be transferred to Barcelona.”
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