Atletico Madrid say they will not enter into negotiations with Barcelona for striker Julian Alvarez, who is considering a move to Arsenal.
Alvarez did not train on Wednesday and Thursday because of illness after a poor night’s sleep on Tuesday, not because of anything related to his future.
The 26-year-old wants to join Barca, who again went public with their desire to sign him on Wednesday in an interview with president Joan Laporta.
However, Atletico have now publicly said they won’t engage with Barcelona over a transfer for Alvarez.
Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil told Movistar (via Sky Sports) on Thursday: “My personal dream is for Julian Alvarez to stay at Atleti.
“If he wants to leave the club, we will look for an alternative, but he will never, ever, ever go to Barcelona.
Also Read: Atletico Report Barcelona To Spanish FA Over Pursuit Of Alvarez
“Julian is in poor health. There are people who have taken it upon themselves to deceive and confuse him, and he is going through a difficult situation.
“We are outraged and repulsed by this lack of ethics. We are not going to negotiate with Barcelona. The only firm decision is that we will not negotiate.”
Gil’s comments came after a club statement earlier in the day criticised Barca’s behaviour around Alvarez.
It read: “Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner.
“We fully stand behind the club’s previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be any negotiation, and there is zero consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona.”
Marca, Spain’s biggest sports newspaper, had previously received on-the-record quotes from the club saying: “The player is being portrayed as the victim, but we are the only victims in this case.
“[Barcelona] have harmed us both financially and socially. There is a zero-per-cent chance of selling him to Barcelona – it’s not about money, it’s about dignity.”
