Alvarez will not be sold to Barcelona, but Atletico open to other offers

Atletico Madrid hardened their stance over a possible sale of striker Julian Alvarez to Barcelona, ruling out any negotiations with the Spanish champions.

The Atletico board “unanimously expressed their full support” for the club’s decision not to negotiate Alvarez’s transfer to Barcelona on Thursday, although they indicated they are not closed off to other approaches, with Arsenal linked to the Argentina international in recent days.

“There has not been and there will not be any negotiation with them [Barcelona] regarding Alvarez’s transfer,” Atletico’s board of directors said in the statement.

“Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner,” the statement added.

“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.”

Atletico did not provide further details. The Rojiblancos previously reported Barcelona to FIFA and the Spanish football federation for their pursuit of Alvarez.

Atletico said they are “convinced” Alvarez “will understand the decision, focusing on working in the best possible way to help the club achieve its objectives”.

The forward missed training for the second day running on Wednesday because of a reported illness, after being jeered by the club’s fans during Atletico’s 2-2 La Liga draw against Villarreal on Sunday.