Simeone rejects Barcelona's Álvarez bid; player set to demand exit
Atlético Madrid stands firm on keeping Julián Álvarez despite Barcelona's pursuit and the player's expected request to leave.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 11 items across 2 sources · 18h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
Diego Simeone and Atlético Madrid have rejected Barcelona's interest in signing Argentine striker Julián Álvarez, with club CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín backing the decision to keep him. However, reports indicate Álvarez plans to request his departure when he returns from vacation and begins training, setting up a showdown between the player's ambitions and his club's refusal to negotiate.
- Atlético Madrid has definitively rejected Barcelona's offers for Álvarez, with manager Simeone and CEO Gil Marín both confirming the player will not be sold.
- Álvarez publicly stated his desire to join Barcelona and fulfill his dream, and plans to formally request his exit when he returns from vacation.
- Barcelona continues pursuing Álvarez despite Atlético's refusal, requiring the Spanish club's agreement to even begin negotiations.
- Simeone invoked the cautionary example of Antoine Griezmann's failed Barcelona move to warn Álvarez against leaving Madrid.
How it unfolded
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Report Barcelona refuses to back down
Barcelona continues pursuing Álvarez despite Simeone's rejection, with the club needing Atlético's agreement to negotiate. Barcelona's Deco and Hansi Flick have made him their top centre-forward target.
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Analysis Decisive week ahead
Reports indicate that within days Álvarez will make his intentions clear through dialogue with Simeone. If negotiations fail, Barcelona will activate their alternative plan before La Liga begins.
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Event Simeone rejects sale in Seoul
Simeone addresses media in Seoul during Atlético's pre-season, stating the club's decision is firm and warning Álvarez against following Antoine Griezmann's failed Barcelona path.
“The situation is very clear, the entity made a decision that (Atleti CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) explained very well. We are very happy with Julian.”
Diego Simeone · Google News ↗ -
Report Álvarez plans to request exit
According to Fernando Czyz, Álvarez is set to tell Atlético Madrid upon returning from vacation that he wants to leave the club and join Barcelona, citing discomfort and his desire to fulfill his dream.
What people are saying verbatim
“The situation is very clear, the entity made a decision that (Atleti CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) explained very well. We are very happy with Julian, from a sporting point of view we will help him to continue growing.”
Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid manager · Forbes ↗ · Aug 7
“We have already seen what happened with Griezmann, I don't see any other way than to work from the sporting side as we have to and try to help as we have done these two years.”
Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid manager · Forbes ↗ · Aug 7
“I don't think it's the time to talk, but I can't hide either. I try to be an honest person. I spoke to the people at the club, who I had to talk to. I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfill my dream.”
Julián Álvarez, Striker, Atlético Madrid · Forbes ↗ · Aug 7
“Álvarez is back from his vacations and will take part in Atletico's training on Monday but it would be to tell them that he wants to leave the club.”
Fernando Czyz, Reporter · Mundo Albiceleste ↗ · Aug 6
“Barcelona need Atletico's agreement to listen to the offers Alvarez receives and to open negotiations, allowing the Catalan club to then table a new bid.”
Mundo Deportivo, Spanish newspaper · Goal.com ↗ · Aug 8