Mateu Alemany, Football Director of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga Santander match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium on May 14, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
FC Barcelona have been trying their best to land the Argentine forward Julian Alvarez, whom they marked as their top transfer target and their chosen candidate to replace Robert Lewandowski in their squad, throughout this summer. However, they have not been able to convince Atletico Madrid to negotiate their star player’s transfer.
In fact, it became quite clear that such a transfer was impossible this summer, as the CEO of the Colchonero club, Miguel Gil Marin, stated categorically that his club would not sell Alvarez to Barcelona, and also took aim at the Blaugrana club for their role in this entire saga. The Atletico Madrid coach, Diego Simeone, then also reiterated the line taken by the CEO.
Now, another Colchonero official has backed this official stance of his club. This official is none other than the former Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany, who is currently working as the sporting director at Atletico Madrid.
As SPORT has reported, Alemany talked to Movistar Plus Deportes ahead of the match between his side and Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan, and while not being as blunt as Gil Marin, again made it clear that Alvarez is not for sale:
“We have been clear… The Board of Directors has said it, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has said it, and I refer you to what they have said. Why would I say anything? Julián had some days when he was not feeling well. He trained yesterday (Friday), and we hope he will be available for the next league match.”
As Mateu Alemany mentioned, Julian Alvarez returned to train alone at the Atletico Madrid facilities, amid high tension with the club, on Friday. However, this does not mean his future is now entirely certain. Even though a move to Barcelona now seems almost impossible, a move to the Premier League, where both Arsenal and Manchester City are pushing for his signing, is still not ruled out.