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Confirmed: €100m Julian Alvarez bid – the latest as Atleti infuriate Barca

1 Jun 2026 07:51 BST | 5 min read

Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid, 2025/26

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Barcelona have confirmed that they have lodged a bid for Julian Alvarez, despite the protestations of Atletico Madrid. The situation is tense between the clubs and threatens to escalate in the days ahead.

Alvarez, 26, has emerged as Barca’s main target to replace the departing Robert Lewandowski at centre-forward, despite Atleti putting a price tag of more than €100 million on the head of the Argentina international.

Interest in the player also comes from Arsenal and PSG, but the Blaugrana are the first to have launched an official bid for the player, which has been confirmed via ‘highly credible sources’ to Mundo Deportivo.

A bid worth €100m was sent to Atletico Madrid sporting director Mateu Alemany, but once this went public, it was denied by the capital club, who have said it is “just another lie” coming from Barcelona.

The indications are that Atleti have yet to offer an official response to Barca, but have instead launched a campaign against their La Liga rivals via social media.

Atleti mock Barcelona and Romano over Alvarez bid

Barcelona’s bid for Alvarez was revealed late last week, with the news treated dimly by Atletico Madrid, who have taken to social media in a campaign that has mocked both the Primera Division champions and Fabrizio Romano, who broke the story of the Catalans’ offer.

Diego Simeone’s side openly mocked their rivals as they delivered a sarcastic post on X: “HERE WE GO! We have sent a fax to Barcelona with our transfer offer: 4 tickets for tomorrow's Bad Bunny concert, an annual subscription to ABC, and a bag of sunflower seeds. We eagerly await the response to prepare the 'announcement’.”

They followed up the post with similar 'bids' for Pedri and Raphinha, as well as stating: “And remember, it took us just five minutes to create this fake post. We live in an era where reality can be altered. Don’t believe everything you see, especially if it’s related to Barca.”

Atleti have gone further. Los Colchoneros have brought up the Negreira case, in which Barcelona stand accused of corruption involving referees, while they have made reference to Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, who were controversially registered by the club in the face of financial sanctions. This latter issue seemed to question how Barcelona can afford to spend €100m on Alvarez, which is a question the club have yet to fully answer.

This series of digs has reportedly infuriated Barca, though they do not wish to respond in kind, instead focusing on the transfer.

Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid

Alvarez makes transfer admission

Julian Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid, according to the Catalan report, which states that he has told his agent Fernando Hidalgo that he wants to leave the club.

Hidalgo met with officials from Barcelona last Wednesday and has told Atleti of his player’s wish to leave. He has also indicated that the former Manchester City man is open to moving to Barca.

Speaking to France Football last November, Alvarez notably left the door open to a summer move:

“I see what’s being said on social media… In Spain, there's a lot of talk about me and Barcelona. When I signed for Atlético last year, there was a lot of talk about Paris. It's true, there were discussions between PSG's management and my agent; they showed interest in signing me, but it didn't happen. For the moment, I'm focused on Atlético. We'll take stock at the end of the season.”

Alvarez remains under contract until 2030 and has a release fee set at €500m, meaning that a monster bid will be required for any side to prise the South American away from Atleti.

Barcelona appear to be trying to bludgeon their way towards a deal, with little regard for the long-term relationship with Atletico Madrid.