The Madrid club aired the row through Wednesday’s edition of Spanish daily Marca, framing the standoff over the Argentine forward as an institutional insult rather than a bidding fight.
“The player is being victimized, but the only victim of the Julián case is us,” the club told Marca.
“They have harmed us economically and socially. There is 0% chance of selling him to Barça. This situation is not about money, it’s about dignity.”
“There’s a campaign with many lies and half-truths. The only one who pays for this is Atlético.”
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The three-way deadlock
Alvarez wants the move. Barcelona want the player. Atletico will not do the deal, and that is where the case sits with days to go before the window closes on 1 September.
Barcelona’s formal offer stands at €100m (£86m), while Atletico’s valuation is closer to €150m (£128m), according to reporting on the standoff. The Argentine, signed from Manchester City in August 2024 for £82m on a six-year deal, is under contract at the Metropolitano until 2030.
Arsenal wait in the wings
Arsenal are the only credible alternative if Alvarez insists on leaving. Their sporting director, Andrea Berta, spent years in the same role at Atletico before moving to London and has remained in contact with his former club in recent days, though the Premier League side are not optimistic about landing the forward before 1 September and want firmer signals from the player before pushing in a formal bid.
Atletico expert Rubén Uría summed up the picture bluntly for Sky Sports.
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“Neither Miguel Gil Marín nor the Apollo board want to sell the player to Barcelona.”
Booed at the Metropolitano
The public fallout arrived at Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal. Alvarez was held back to the bench, jeered during the warm-up and again when he entered as a substitute in the 66th minute, with home fans chanting for his exit. He was met with another round of boos as he left the pitch at full-time.
Diego Simeone said the club had taken the decision with him in mind.
“The club decided he should not go near the stands or the fans, to keep him away and separate him.”
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The Argentine coach also insisted the forward remains central to his plans.
“Julian is a hugely important player for achieving the goals we have as a team. We need him, we’re going to look after him.”
The Spanish window closes on Tuesday, 1 September.
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