Atlético Madrid has issued its first comment regarding statements made by Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, about signing Julián Álvarez, the striker for the Rojiblancos' first football team.
Joan Laporta spoke about signing a striker during the ongoing summer transfer window and provided the latest updates on negotiations for Álvarez, (click here for details).
Julián Álvarez is considered the biggest headache for everyone following the 2026/2027 transfer market due to the ongoing rivalry between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid over his signature.
Barcelona aims to sign him to compensate for the departures of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, who recently moved to Paris Saint-Germain, making Álvarez the Blaugrana's top priority in the current transfer market.
However, Atlético Madrid's stubborn stance has prevented the deal from being completed. The club previously confirmed that Álvarez would not be sold to any Spanish club unless an offer of €500 million is submitted, which matches the release clause in the Argentine's contract.
Atlético Madrid issued a strong statement via the Spanish newspaper "Marca": "The player is being treated unfairly, but we are the sole victims in the Julián case."
The statement continued: "They have caused us both financial and social damage. There is no chance of selling him to Barcelona. This is not about money; it is about dignity. There is absolutely no possibility of selling him to Barcelona."
The statement concluded: "There is a campaign filled with lies and the dissemination of only half-truths rather than the full truth, and Atlético Madrid is the only one paying the price for it."