Atletico Madrid don dey vex sotay dem threaten to take Barcelona go FIFA because of Julian Alvarez saga. Di club CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin don yarn say dem no go sell di Argentina striker to any club this summer, especially Barcelona wey dem believe dey behind di player public statement.
Alvarez wey score for Argentina World Cup match against Austria don tell ESPN say e don talk to Atletico hierarchy about im desire to leave. But Gil Marin say di timing no good because na day for Lionel Messi and di national team.
“E no be di right day to make such statements; na day for Messi and di Argentine national team, no be Julian,” Gil Marin tell EFE. “Julian get dream to sign elsewhere, but we Atletico fans get dreams too. E don talk to us, but e know our position because we don be clear: Atleti no want to transfer am.”
Di former Manchester City forward wey join Atletico for €95 million in 2024 prefer to join Barcelona, according to ESPN sources. But Gil Marin say Barcelona dey disrespect dem and dem go lodge complaint with FIFA for negotiating with player under contract during protected period.
“Barcelona dey disrespect us. Dem think dem fit walk all over us and say we weak and stupid, but dem dey show di world way of acting wey define dem. Dem lie to us, to di player, to di media. Dem try make everyone believe dem fit do deal wey dem no fit do,” Gil Marin add.
Barcelona sources claim Atletico know for some time through private discussions say dem want sign Alvarez. Di Blaugrana dey eye Alvarez as replacement for outgoing Robert Lewandowski, with first bid around €100 million wey draw ire from Atletico.
Real Madrid don also express interest, with €150 million offer wey Atletico turn down. Alvarez get €500 million release clause. Atletico don slam Barcelona for “calculated leaks, fake news and constant disrespect” for social media, even post mock bids for Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha.
Alvarez wey score 49 goals for 106 appearances for Atletico tell ESPN: “I no think na right moment to talk, but I no want hide. I try be honest person. I speak with di people at Atletico wey I need to speak with. I think di best thing for everybody na transfer. I want fulfil my dream.”
Di Argentina international dey currently with national team for World Cup, where e don come off bench for victories against Algeria and Austria for Group J.
