Atlético Madrid chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín claimed on Friday that star forward Julián Álvarez has been poorly advised in seeking to push through a move to Barcelona this summer.
The future of Argentina international Álvarez, 26, has been one of this window’s most high-profile transfer sagas after the player spoke publicly about his desire to leave Atlético during the World Cup, telling ESPN that he wanted to “fulfil his dream” of a departure.
ESPN reported this week that Barça had given up on their pursuit of Álvarez just days ahead of kicking off the new season, and were looking at alternatives after Atlético refused to negotiate a deal.
“Atlético Madrid, like every big club, is built on great players, and Julián is one of them, as well as being a great professional,” Gil Marín told the news agency EFE on Friday.
“We have to compete with our values, with homegrown players and the best players we can bring in from outside.
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“We are going to help Julián and continue to look after him, so he can reach his full potential… We must understand that Julián hasn’t had the best advisors around him in recent months.”
Later on Friday, Álvarezs agent, Fernando Hidalgo, shared a post on Instagram, without referring to any specific individual or club.
“Never ask a liar why he lied, because to explain why, he’d have to lie again,” Hidalgo posted.
Álvarez didn’t feature for Atlético in their opening LaLiga game this week — as they beat Málaga 2-0 on Wednesday — with coach Diego Simeone saying the star was lacking match fitness after a delayed return to preseason training following the World Cup.
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Atlético are next in action on Sunday as they host Villarreal.
Barça wanted to sign Álvarez after forwards Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres both left the club, and they had a bid of around €100 million ($116m) for Álvarez rejected earlier this summer, while Real Madrid also had a €150m ($175m) offer turned down.
“We can’t allow other clubs and their related media to decide what we have to do, to determine our sporting strategy and to show us a lack of respect,” Gil Marín said.
In a news conference on Saturday, manager Diego Simeone added: “There’s no uncertainty. Miguel Ángel [Gil Marín] spoke clearly.
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“For me he’s a really important player to achieve our objectives. We’ll be with him, we’ll look after him on the sporting side, because he’s our player… He’ll be in the squad tomorrow.”
Simeone also clarified midweek comments in which he said he was “respectful” of a group of Atlético fans who had chanted against Álvarez.
“I respect our fans, that’s absolute, but obviously I don’t share insults or abuse. I want that to be clear, because any word at this time, when people are looking for division, can generate conflict.”
