The excessive grumbling of the Athletic

BarcelonaMiguel Ángel Gil Marín appeared after the Champions League draw in Monaco and said the following: “We are disgusted by falsehood, lack of ethics, transparency and professionalism, and we can only insist that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances.” In the height of all the anger, the white-and-red CEO fired against Barça with a tone that borders on rudeness and that is surprising considering the facts.

Joan Laporta explained this very week that he spoke directly with Gil Marín to express Barça's desire to sign Julián Álvarez and that his response was that they did not intend to sell him under any circumstances because they had no replacement. Furthermore, in the face of the Catalan club's public offer of 100 million euros, Atlético responded from the club's official account on the social network X with a series of jokes aimed at ridiculing Barça.

Laporta, in a gesture that can be interpreted both as support for the player after he stated at the World Cup that he wanted to leave Atleti, and as pressure, confirmed that they remained interested in Julián because they had learned that Arsenal was indeed an option for the Madrid-based entity, as Gil Marín himself confirmed in Monaco: “If Julián wants to leave Atlético, we would look for an alternative, but never, ever would it be Barcelona.” The question, therefore, is obvious: Where is the lack of transparency, ethics, and professionalism that so disgusts him?

It is logical that Atlético and its fans are angry with the player and his representative after paying 75 million euros plus 20 in variables to Manchester City for a footballer who, at the first opportunity and with three more years of contract in force, assures that he wants to leave “to fulfill his dream.” They have a problem with a key striker for the project, as Simeone stated upon returning from vacation.

Julián has not shown up for training for three days because he is emotionally devastated, the transfer window is closing, and Atlético is running out of time to sign, but Barça is not to blame for this. They made an offer which they maintain and will not be the first club to speak with a contracted player, including, of course, Atlético. The tantrum is excessive, but they must know what they are doing.