Inframe News – Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club remains interested in signing Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid before the summer transfer window closes. Laporta said Barcelona’s offer is still available and that the club would like Atlético to accept it. The comments come as the transfer saga surrounding the Argentina international becomes increasingly tense.
Álvarez has become Barcelona’s main target as the Catalan club looks for another striker. The 26-year-old joined Atlético from Manchester City in 2024 and has scored 49 goals with 17 assists in 107 appearances for the Madrid club. He is under contract with Atlético until 2030.
Laporta addressed the situation in a video published through Barcelona’s social media channels on Wednesday. He said the club’s interest was not intended to create problems for Atlético and stressed that Barcelona continued to respect their La Liga rivals. He also said the offer would remain on the table until the end of the transfer window.
“We are very interested in buying Julián Álvarez,” Laporta said, making Barcelona’s position particularly clear. He also urged Atlético to accept the proposal if they decide to sell the player. Barcelona believe they should still have a chance to negotiate after reports that Atlético have been open to discussions with other clubs.
Atlético Madrid, however, have responded with a very different message. The club told Spanish newspaper MARCA that there is a “0% chance” of selling Álvarez to Barcelona. Atlético also said the dispute was no longer about money but about what they described as the club’s dignity.
Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has previously indicated that the club would reject even an offer of €200 million for Álvarez. The Madrid side considers the forward an important part of its squad and does not want to lose him to a direct domestic rival. That position has made Barcelona’s pursuit considerably more complicated.
The situation has also become uncomfortable for Álvarez himself. Atlético supporters booed the striker while he was warming up before their 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday. He was also jeered when he came onto the pitch as a substitute in the second half.
Álvarez has previously made his desire to leave Atlético known. During the 2026 World Cup, he said he had spoken with the club about the possibility of a transfer and described the move as something that could help him fulfil his dream. Barcelona have remained interested ever since.
The pressure around the striker increased again on Wednesday when Álvarez did not train with Atlético. The club said he was suffering from an indisposition, while Spanish media reported that he was dealing with a stomach problem. His absence immediately attracted more attention because of the ongoing transfer dispute.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has also been asked about the club’s search for a striker. Flick avoided directly discussing Álvarez but acknowledged that Barcelona need to consider their options as the transfer window approaches its conclusion. The club could therefore still enter the final days of the window without completing its preferred signing.
Barcelona’s pursuit has become even more important after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. The club wants another recognised centre-forward to strengthen Flick’s attacking options alongside players such as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Álvarez has emerged as the preferred target for that role.
For Atlético, the dispute has already moved beyond a normal transfer negotiation. The club has accused Barcelona and Álvarez’s representatives of creating a damaging narrative around the player and has argued that Atlético are the ones who have suffered from the situation. The Madrid club has maintained that it wants to keep the forward despite the growing pressure.
There is also a growing divide between Álvarez and Atlético supporters. The boos at the Metropolitano have added another layer to a transfer situation that has been playing out publicly for weeks. With the window approaching its final stages, every new statement from Barcelona or Atlético is adding more pressure to the striker’s uncertain future.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have not withdrawn from the race. Laporta’s latest comments confirm that the club is prepared to keep its offer available until the transfer window closes, even though Atlético have publicly rejected the possibility of selling Álvarez to them. The two clubs now appear to be taking completely opposite positions on the same transfer.
