Atlético Madrid 'furious' with Barcelona over Álvarez transfer saga

Atlético Madrid are reportedly 'furious' after learning that striker Julián Álvarez wants to leave the club this summer, with the club's CEO Miguel Gil Marin pointing the finger at Barcelona for encouraging the Argentine forward to go public with his transfer request.

Speaking on Tuesday, Gil Marin revealed the club's frustration, claiming that Barcelona have been actively pushing Álvarez to make his desire to leave known, escalating tensions between the two La Liga rivals. Álvarez joined Atlético from River Plate in 2022 and has been a key figure in Diego Simeone's squad.

The 24-year-old World Cup winner has reportedly attracted interest from several European clubs, but Atlético are keen to retain him. However, the public nature of the request has left the club feeling undermined.

Atlético's stance and Barcelona's involvement

Gil Marin did not mince words, stating that the club feels 'betrayed' by both Álvarez and Barcelona. He accused Barcelona of using underhand tactics to unsettle the player, despite the fact that Álvarez remains under contract until 2026.

• Atlético CEO says Barcelona pressured Álvarez to make a public transfer request.
• Álvarez informed the club of his desire to leave during a recent meeting.
• The Argentine's contract with Atlético runs until June 2026.
• Barcelona have not yet made a formal offer for the striker.

What's next?

The situation remains fluid, with Atlético determined to drive a hard bargain. They are expected to demand a hefty transfer fee, potentially exceeding €80 million, if they are forced to sell. Meanwhile, Barcelona will need to offload players to fund any move. The coming weeks could see further developments as the summer transfer window heats up.