Barcelona sets July deadline for Julian Alvarez transfer amid Atlético stalemate

Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced that the club has submitted an official offer for Argentine striker Julián Álvarez and has given Atlético Madrid until the end of July to respond. Laporta warned that “a big club cannot afford to have players who are unhappy” and said the offer is “very important and very good for us.”

Atlético Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín repeatedly stated that the player is not for sale, rejecting offers of €100 million, €150 million and €200 million and insisting the €500 million release clause will not be triggered. He added, “We do not accept a €100 million offer, nor €150 million, nor €200 million.”

The dispute has intensified ahead of the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, where Álvarez has expressed a desire to leave Atlético to fulfil his dream. New owner Apollo Sports Capital, which now holds a majority stake in Atlético, has urged the club’s management to take a hard line and not concede any part of the €500 million clause.

Despite the dead‑lock, Laporta maintains confidence that an agreement can be reached before the start of Barcelona’s pre‑season in England, after the World Cup, and has warned that the club will consider other options if Atlético does not respond by the deadline.