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SportsBarcelona President Laporta: Offer for Julián Álvarez is firm but not unlimited, player has long wanted to join
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly stated that Atlético Madrid was told their offer for Julián Álvarez is firm but not unlimited, revealing that the player has long wanted to join Barça. This comes after Atlético publicly accused Barcelona of 'harassment and demolition' against their player, leaking fake news, and making illegal contact before direct matches. Atlético filed a complaint with FIFA and the Spanish federation over the alleged illegal approach. Laporta claimed the offer was made transparently and that relations with Atlético's leadership are good, but he would not be held hostage by their refusal to sell. He suggested the controversy was stirred by outside parties. The situation escalates as both clubs navigate a tense transfer window, with Atlético also having to manage other players like Lamine Yamal and Joao Félix.
Source report
Updated: July 1, 2026 — 19:19 CEST Source: AS Atlético
Atlético Madrid has made its position clear: Barcelona negotiated for Julián Álvarez when it could not and should not, at the height of the competition.
"In recent months we have been suffering a campaign of harassment and demolition against one of our players. Leaked information, 'fake news', continuous disrespect, the culé version of the machinery inventing stories, calls before direct confrontations... But of course, we would never think of having the vice president of the referees on our payroll or resorting to political favors to register players. RESPECT and VALUES. "
The red-and-white club posted this unrestrained attack on its social media, shortly before Julián Álvarez publicly requested a transfer to "fulfill my dream."
Laporta's Public Statement
Joan Laporta's public appearance was measured, expressing "maximum respect for Cerezo and Gil Marín," with a proposal on the table:
"We made an offer to Atlético, we spoke with them and they know what's there. The player wants to come. I have the utmost respect for Cerezo or Gil Marín, whom I have spoken with, and they told us they would not sell Julián because they had no alternative to replace him. They know our offer and that it is firm. We are not at the mercy of Atlético, with whom we have good institutional and personal relations. If they want to talk and consider the offer at a certain time and we keep it valid, we would be delighted to sit down. If they have an alternative, which I hope they do, we could talk. Our offer is not unlimited in time."
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Laporta on the Controversy
Laporta also addressed the growing dispute:
"The tweets appeared before Julián spoke, he expressed a dream. We have not forced this. Julián has been on our radar since before he signed for City. The offer has been made transparently. I do not understand the logic of Atlético's actions because their representatives have a lot of experience in all this. It would not be the first time we have done a deal between Barça and Atlético. We have done more than one and more than ten... This going to FIFA must be someone out there wanting to stir things up."
Atletico has filed its complaint with FIFA and the RFEF.
"We know the player has wanted to go to Barça for a long time," Laporta hinted.
Atlético maintains its stance, noting that contacts occurred some time ago — during a year when the clubs faced each other in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey. They continue to refer to the player's release clause.
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