This is how Barça has taken on Florentino's difficult situation with Julián Álvarez

BarcelonaNeither Michael Olise, nor Vitinha, nor Harry Kane. The world-class star that its president, Florentino Pérez, announced a few days ago during his campaign on Iker Jiménez's program was Julián Álvarez. Or, at least, that's what can be understood from the statement Real Madrid issued on Tuesday evening. "Real Madrid announces that, after the board of directors meeting held this Tuesday, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Atlético de Madrid for the federative rights of Julián Álvarez," the club stated at the beginning of the document, which concluded with another clear paragraph: "After studying and evaluating it, Atlético de Madrid has appreciated the offer, made within the framework of the good relations between the two clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player's release clause".

The mattress club responded with a less formal statement. Through its X channel, the same one it used a few days ago to troll Barça, it made it clear that it "does not appreciate" Madrid's offer and that, in fact, they "will neither study nor consider" any. It also took the opportunity to reproach the white club for "stealing" players from Atlético de Madrid's lower categories.

Julián's release clause is 500 million euros and the Argentine forward has a contract until June 30, 2030. These two premises place Atlético de Madrid in a position of strength regarding a possible departure of their star player, who is in turn the favorite to strengthen Barcelona's forward line after Robert Lewandowski's exit. Implicitly, the fact that the Mattress makers have rejected 150 million for him could increase the dream of Joan Laporta and his board, who want to take advantage of this summer of financial fair play bonanza to operate in the market with all the power they could not display in previous summers. fair play to operate in the market with all the power they could not display in previous summers.

The Blaugrana club is not satisfied with Anthony Gordon, signed for 80 million between fixed and variables and presented a few days ago at the Camp Nou. Besides the Englishman, who fits a hardworking and versatile profile valued by Hansi Flick, the main objective is Julián, a forward at his peak (26 years old) who is among the best in the world and who can indeed take on the challenge of filling Lewandowski's void. Barça has already contacted the player's entourage – to agree on a contract for the next five seasons – and could offer 120 million for him, but Madrid's move could raise the price of the bet beyond 150 million, a figure that the Blaugrana entity has only paid for Philippe Coutinho in its entire history.

Barça will never pay that much money for Julián and has not been alarmed by Florentino's offer, interpreted in the Camp Nou offices as a ploy to complicate their eternal rival's objective. Joan Laporta, who will take office in early July, is calm about the events of the last few hours and foresees a long saga with the Argentine forward, who still has to play the World Cup. The president-elect understands Atlético de Madrid's dominant position, but at the same time knows that if Julián makes a decisive step to wear the Blaugrana colors this summer, the negotiation will be smoothed out.

"We'll see you in court"

In parallel, the interim president of Barça, Rafa Yuste, went on the offensive against Florentino with forceful declarations. At the annual meeting with the Blaugrana senators, the leader defended himself against the accusations of his white counterpart regarding the Negreira case. "No one taints Barça's crest. We will see each other in court. We will go after them, because we are bound to win," he exclaimed before 144 senators. "One thing is to defend yourself with pride and another is to go around doing certain things. Do you believe they can threaten us by saying they will send 500 papers to UEFA? I don't know what this gentleman [referring to Florentino] thinks," stated Yuste, who in his speech also promised more signings after Gordon's and a profound restructuring of the basketball section.