Barcelona have rejected Atletico de Madrid’s accusations over their interest in Julian Alvarez, after an angry public exchange between the two clubs during Thursday’s UEFA Champions League league phase draw in Monaco.
The dispute centres on the future of the Argentina striker, with Barcelona continuing to consider a move despite Atletico’s insistence that they will not negotiate with their La Liga rivals.
According to Sport, Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin was the first senior figure to escalate the dispute. Speaking to Movistar+, he delivered a strong criticism of the situation surrounding Alvarez and suggested the player had been unsettled by outside influences.
“Julian is already suffering because there are people who have dedicated themselves to deceiving and confusing him. I am sorry, because I know him well and he is a wonderful player and person, but he is completely confused,” said Gil Marin.
The Atletico executive then directed his comments at Barcelona after the club’s president, Joan Laporta, had publicly reiterated that the Catalan side remained willing to explore a deal for Alvarez.
“This angers us even more because we are disgusted by Barcelona’s falsehood, lack of ethics and lack of professionalism,” Gil Marin said.
“We can only confirm that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances. As the general manager and the person principally responsible for running the club, I have everyone’s support. The player will not be sold to Barcelona.”
Barcelona responded within minutes, with vice-president Rafa Yuste speaking to the same broadcaster from Monaco. Yuste expressed his anger at the language used by Gil Marin and defended his club’s conduct.
“What surprises me is that, knowing him, he was able to make these statements that lack politeness and respect. He has crossed a red line that I do not understand at all. They are statements that anger me and I do not share them,” Yuste said.
Yuste insisted Barcelona had done nothing improper by showing interest in Alvarez, arguing that the club was entitled to pursue a player who wanted to join them.
“We are a club that respects its rivals, respects Atletico de Madrid and respects the players. If a player wants to come to a club, we will try to sign him,” he added.
The Barcelona vice-president also referred to an earlier meeting with Atletico president Enrique Cerezo and members of Gil Marin’s family. He said the encounter had remained courteous despite the growing disagreement over Alvarez.
“We exchanged greetings, because a person must be polite in life. We exchanged a few words with the Gil family and president Cerezo, and I told them what I had said before: we are calm and our consciences are clear,” said Yuste.
With only a few days remaining before the transfer window closes, Barcelona continue to refuse to regard a potential move for Alvarez as finished. Atletico, however, maintain that they will never negotiate with Barcelona over the Argentina international.
The dispute is also being discussed in greater depth in the Kooora forums.
