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

BarcelonaDiego Pablo Simeone is a wily old fox. He knew that the mood of the Atlético de Madrid fans with Julián Álvarez, who has pushed hard to be transferred to Barça, was tense, and he saved him from the whistles 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 Málaga, which was decided in the second half in favor of the locals (2-0). "He is not yet ready to continue taking care of the name he has," Cholo justified in the press conference prior to the match. In the one that followed, 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 already opened the umbrella so that Julián can begin to earn the people's 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 to the team's chances this season. Less affectionate, but equally clear, have been the statements from the mattress club's offices. The entity's CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, said a few weeks ago that no offer would be accepted for Julián: "Not for 100, not for 150, nor for 200 million euros". He also attacked the Barcelona media. "We cannot allow other clubs and their associated media to decide what we should do, set our sporting strategy and disrespect us", he said in reference to Barça. The sporting director, former Barcelona 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 win over the fans in two games". However, the mattress fans do not seem to forgive the Argentine and this Friday the Atlético de Madrid Sports City woke up to posters that read "Julián out" and the number 19 – the jersey he wears for the Madrid team – crossed out. Bad luck.

The statements of all Atletico spokesmen align with the true reason for the pumpkins held on to sell 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 club: Apollo Global Management. This American investment fund, owner of 55% of the shareholding for less than a year, is the one that has opposed the operation from the very first moment. Financial sources assure 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 entourage, it has been leaked throughout the summer that there was an unwritten pact with Gil Marín to let him leave, but the impact of Apollo has been underestimated, which would only have considered the sale for more than 150 million and always to a club outside the Spanish League.

Anywhere but at Barça

The resounding refusal of the American owners was conveyed to the player's representative, Fernando Hidalgo, upon the return to training of the last World Cup participants from Madrid. 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 counting on him this weekend, back at the Metropolitano, against Villarreal. If he takes to the pitch, he will have no choice but to renew his vows with the team that has been his fanbase for two seasons. It will be this or bringing them a millionaire offer to leave for any team other than Barça, an extreme that is 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 on. On the other hand, Álvarez would not want to return to the Premier League. He wants to go to Barça, not Arsenal.

This countdown also rushes the blaugrana club in its fight to cover Robert Lewandowski's void in the attacking front. With Julián almost ruled out, the name of his compatriot Lautaro Martínez is being mentioned, to whom Barça had already cast its net when Josep Maria Bartomeu and Ramon Planes were in charge of the Camp Nou offices. The Inter Milan forward is an idol at the Giuseppe Meazza. Captain and top scorer for the neroazzurri team, who have already stepped in to address the interest by saying that the asset is not for sale and will not be. "Gordon and Adeyemi already solve Ferran Torres's departure for us, but Lewandowski's is more difficult. It is very complicated to replace a player like him," declared the blaugrana sporting director, Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco, who anticipates "some movement" to cover Hansi Flick's top priority in this transfer market.