Laporta keeps Barcelona’s Álvarez bid alive as Atletico insists he’s not for sale

Madrid (AP) — The ongoing saga surrounding Barcelona's pursuit to sign forward Julián Álvarez from Atletico Madrid continued on Wednesday. Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, confirmed the club's intent to retain its offer to bring the Argentine player to the Catalan club.

Laporta's comments followed Álvarez's decision not to train with Atletico due to an "indisposition," as reported by Spanish media. The 26-year-old had already communicated his desire to leave Atletico. Despite Atletico's insistence on keeping the player, Laporta emphasized Barcelona's continued interest in acquiring his services.

Laporta, who made the offer personally during a phone call with Atletico's official Miguel Ángel Gil, did not disclose the exact terms of the proposal. However, he stated that the offer remains valid if Atletico chooses to sell the player. "From what is being said, it appears that the player wants to come to Barça, so we reiterate our interest and our intention, with all due respect to Atletico Madrid, to try to sign the player," Laporta said.

The Barcelona president also noted that Álvarez was excluded from Atletico's lineup for the Spanish league opener and received boos from fans during his substitute appearance in the second match of the season. In response to Laporta's statements, Atletico reaffirmed its stance against selling Álvarez, accusing Barcelona of attempting to coerce the club into a transfer.

The player's buyout clause is estimated at 500 million euros ($582 million). Earlier this year, Real Madrid had reported that Atletico had rejected an offer of 150 million euros for Álvarez.