Julián Álvarez: the truth about Atlético de Madrid's refusal to sell him to Barça

BarcelonaDiego Pablo Simeone is an old hand. He knew that the mood of the Atlético de Madrid fans with Julián Álvarez, who has strongly pushed to be transferred to Barça, was very tense and he spared him the whistling in the mattress team's first league match at the Metropolitano. The Argentine forward was the only one of the World Cup finalists who was left out of the squad for the duel against Malaga, which was resolved in the second half in favor of the locals (2-0). "He is not yet ready to continue caring for the name he has," justified Cholo in the press conference prior to the match. In the subsequent one, he ironically commented on some offensive chants heard at the stadium against Julián: "They are very respectful." Obviously, he didn't like them at all.

Simeone has opened the umbrella so that Julián can begin to earn the fans' forgiveness. "We have to try to build a team around him, thinking about all his power, his quality, his hierarchy, his talent...", declared the coach of the Madrid club, aware that his compatriot must be key in the team's chances this season. Less affectionate, but equally clear, have been those from the mattress offices. The club's CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, made it clear weeks ago that no offer for Julián would be accepted: "Not for 100, not for 150, nor for 200 million euros." The sporting director, former Barça player Mateu Alemany, subscribes to this response and considers it "definitive," while the president, Enrique Cerezo, states that the player "is not for sale" and that he "will conquer the fans in two games."

The statements of all the spokespeople for Atlètic de Madrid align with the true reason for Atlètic de Madrid's sustained pumpkin-heads in selling Julián to Barça. And it is that Simeone, Gil Marín, Alemany, and Cerezo are, in short, the ones in charge of putting words to the firm intentions of whoever really calls the shots at the mattress club: Apollo. This North American investment fund, owner of 55% of the club's shareholding for less than a year, is the one that has opposed the operation from the very first moment. Financial sources assure the ARA that the new owners not only see the Argentine attacker as the entity's best sporting asset, but as the patrimonial and strategic flag of the entire project. From Julián's circle, it has been leaked all summer that there was an unwritten pact with Gil Marín and Cerezo for them to let him leave, but the impact of Apollo has been overlooked, who would only have considered the sale for more than 150 million euros and always to a club outside the Spanish League.

Anywhere but at Barça

The resounding refusal of the American owners was transmitted to the player's representative, Fernando Hidalgo, upon the return to training of the last World Cup participants from Mattress. For this reason, Julián abandoned the idea of declaring himself in rebellion. He did not hide his desire to change scenery, but he accepted reality and placed himself under Simeone's orders, who is confident of having him this weekend, again at the Metropolitano, against Villarreal. If he takes to the field, he will have no choice but to renew his vows with the club that has been his home for two seasons. This will be it or bringing them a millionaire offer to leave for any team other than Barça, an extreme difficult to manage with only ten days left until the transfer market closes until December. Suddenly, Alemany would have a lot of money, but little room to find the best option to spend it.

This countdown also puts pressure on Barça in their fight to fill the gap left by Robert Lewandowski up front. With Julián ruled out, the name of his compatriot Lautaro Martínez is being mentioned, whom the blaugrana club already cast their net over when Josep Maria Bartomeu and Ramon Planes were in charge in the offices of Camp Nou. The Inter Milan striker is a idol at the Giuseppe Meazza. Captain and top scorer of the team black and blue, who has already addressed the interest by saying the asset is not for sale. "Gordon and Adeyemi already solve the departure of Ferran Torres for us, but Lewandowski's is more difficult. It is very complicated to replace a player like him," stated the Blaugrana sporting director, Anderson Luis de Souza, Decor, which "adventure" "some movement" to cover Hansi Flick's alpha priority in this transfer market.