Arsenal target Julian Alvarez will “never, ever” be sold to Barcelona, according to Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin, who did not rule out the possibility of the Argentina international joining another club instead before the transfer deadline.
Alvarez made it clear earlier this summer that he wanted to join Barcelona but relations between the Spanish clubs have completely broken down over the transfer saga, with Gil Marin accusing Barcelona of “dishonesty” and a lack of “professionalism”.
Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta said on Wednesday that they were still interested in Alvarez despite Atletico’s stance, with Atletico then releasing a statement to confirm there was “zero per cent chance” of Alvarez moving to Camp Nou.
“Our intention and my personal dream is for him to stay with us, to remain at Atletico,” Gil Martin told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus after Thursday’s Champions League league phase draw in Monaco.
“To compete amongst the greats, you need great players, and Julian is one. If he believes that staying at Atletico Madrid is no longer feasible, we will look for an alternative, but it will never, ever be Barcelona.”
Gil Marin’s comments are the latest escalation in Atletico’s row with Barcelona. The Independent has reported that Atletico have set a Friday deadline for Alvarez’s future to be decided, with the forward missing consecutive training sessions this week.
Arsenal are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Atletico late in the window, but the Premier League champions have yet to submit an offer as Mikel Arteta eyes a marquee attacking signing to bolster their title defence.
Gil Marin told Movistar Plus that Atletico are refusing to negotiate with Barcelona, opening the door to Arsenal to declare their interest before the deadline. Alvarez was booed by Atletico supporters during their draw with Villarreal on Sunday and seemingly has no interest in playing for Atletico this season.
“The truth is that it outrages us even more. We are repulsed by the dishonesty, the lack of ethics, transparency and professionalism, and we can only insist that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances,” Gil Marin said.
‘I have the support of everyone working with me, from shareholders to directors, and the only certain and firm decision is that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances; you have my word – which is one of the few things I have – the player will most certainly not be transferred to Barcelona.”
