‘Harmed us’ – Atletico Madrid lash out at Barcelona in scathing Julian Alvarez statement after president’s transfer plea

ATLETICO MADRID have lashed out at Barcelona in a scathing attack over the Julian Alvarez transfer saga. The Spanish side have been putting out fires for most of the summer owing to the ongoing battle to keep Alvarez at the club amid interest from Barcelona. Atletico Madrid have released a damning statement slamming Barcelona’s behaviour in the Julian Alvarez transfer saga Credit: AFP Barcelona president Joan Laporta openly courted a move for Alvarez on a video released on Wednesday Credit: Barcelona Blaugrana president Joan Laporta released a statement openly expressing the club’s wish to get a deal done. In a video released on Barca’s social media pages on Wednesday, he said: “The truth is that we’re very interested in the player. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! “We’d like our offer to be accepted and we say this with all due respect to Atletico Madrid. “And we want them to know that if they are open to selling during the summer transfer window we would be willing to buy the player in accordance with the offer we’ve submitted to them.” However, Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Martin swiftly issued a barbed response. They told Marca: “The player is being victimised, but the only victim of the Julian case is us. “They have harmed us economically and socially. “There is zero per cent chance of selling him to Barca. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “This situation is not about money, it’s about dignity. “There is zero per cent chance of selling it to Barca. “There’s a campaign with many lies and half-truths. “The only one who pays for this is Atlético.” Atletico want £130m for him The situation inside Atletico is said to be “very tense” with Alvarez, 26, continuing to push for a move away. Links between the former Manchester City star and Arsenal have gathered pace in recent weeks. Alvarez was jeered by fans after coming on as a sub in their 2-2 draw against Villarreal in La Liga. He was not in the squad for 2-0 win over Malaga days later and the situation is now “extremely tense”, Sky Sports have reported. Alvarez is said to be “devastated” by both the hostile reception from supporters and being told he will not be allowed to join Barcelona, with the Gunners now emerging as the only other option on the table. But for a deal to happen Arsenal will need to smash their transfer record by paying a £130million fee – some £25m more than the £105m they paid to land Declan Rice in 2023. Top football travel deals Comment now