Atlético threatens legal action after Álvarez says he wants Barcelona move

Abdullateef Fowewe

Atlético Madrid has reacted angrily after Julián Álvarez publicly said he wanted a transfer to fulfil his dream of joining FC Barcelona.

Atlético Madrid warned the Catalan club it could face legal action for allegedly negotiating with a player under contract.

“The chances of a sale to Barcelona are zero,” an Atlético source told Diario AS.

The club says it will lodge a complaint with FIFA’s sports justice system over what it calls Barcelona’s improper contacts.

“There is no amount of money for which Barça can buy Julián Álvarez. He will not be transferred to Barcelona,” Atlético said in a statement to Diario AS.

“Either they pay the release clause for €500m or there is no deal.”

Álvarez, 26, after Argentina’s World Cup match against Austria said, “The best thing for me is a transfer, I want to fulfill my dream.”

Sources have repeatedly reported that the striker has agreed personal terms with Barcelona and wants the move, though Atlético rejected a reported €100m bid from Barça weeks earlier.

The situation complicates a transfer saga that has also seen reported interest from Arsenal and previous links to Real Madrid.

Atlético insist they will not allow Barcelona to “get away with” alleged illicit negotiations, with one source calling Barça “a dishonest club.”

Barcelona has not responded to Atlético’s accusations.

Atlético’s stance centres on Álvarez’s €500m release clause, which the club says must be met for any lawful transfer — a sum they say no club intends to pay.

The dispute now appears set to escalate to football’s governing bodies unless clubs reach an agreed solution.