The Grimaldi Forum hosts the 2026-27 Champions League league phase draw on Thursday, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both in the room and the summer’s ugliest transfer saga still open.

Joan Laporta lit the fuse on Wednesday. In a video published through Barcelona’s channels, the president confirmed the offer for the Argentine striker still stands.

“We are still very interested in Julian Alvarez. We would like our offer to be accepted, and we are doing so with the utmost respect for Atletico de Madrid,” Laporta said.

He also tied the pursuit to the closing days of the window.

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“If they are willing to sell Julián Álvarez during this summer transfer window, we would be ready to buy him, provided we can reach an agreement around the offer we have made to them.”

Atletico’s response landed within hours. In a statement carried by Marca, sources at the club rejected the offer and the premise of the pursuit.

“There is a 0 per cent chance of selling him to Barça. This situation isn’t about money, it’s about dignity.”

The same statement accused Barcelona of running “a campaign… full of lies and half-truths” and said the Catalan club had harmed Atletico “both financially and socially.”

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Alvarez has a 500 million euro clause

Barcelona’s opening bid of around 100 million euros was rejected earlier this summer, and chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has not opened talks since. Alvarez’s contract at Atletico runs through 2030 and carries a release clause reported at 500 million euros, which Madrid have pointed to from the start.

Spanish press reports say Alvarez himself would prefer the move to Barcelona, and Atletico fans have whistled at the striker at recent matches. The club’s position, per the Marca statement, has not moved.

Atletico weigh formal complaints

The Marca statement also flagged further legal ammunition. Atletico plan to update earlier complaints to FIFA and the Spanish federation over Barcelona’s approach and over contact with Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo.

Thursday’s draw starts at 6pm local time at the Grimaldi Forum. The LaLiga summer window closes on Tuesday, 1 September.

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