Man United legend tears into Barcelona target over exit push: ‘Needs to learn to show respect’ | OneFootball

Julian Alvarez took the transfer market by storm when he came out after the Argentina-Austria game and publicly asked to be transfer-listed at Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine striker said that he wanted to make his “dream” move, and it is widely believed that he wants to wear the Blaugrana shirt next season.

Now, as quoted by AS, Roy Keane was asked about the Argentine forward’s comments. The Manchester United legend did not hold back.

He said: “You will never see real professionals forcing moves like this… Julian needs to learn to show respect.”

“Right now he is at Atletico. His standards, his mentality, his grit: that is what gets respected. If he wants to be a great player, he should focus on performing for Atletico and proving his worth there, not preaching about his dream and asking for a transfer.”

“Otherwise, he will be another player who talked too much about his dream club and forgot the one that actually has him under contract.”

Roy Keane has lashed out at Alvarez. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Respect becomes the central issue

Keane also questioned the timing and the tone of Alvarez’s stance. He said:

“Atletico signed him to be their main striker. They gave him the opportunity. And now, after a bit of success, he is already saying Barcelona is his dream and that he wants to leave?”

Opinion is divided over the decision the 26-year-old striker took, but the truth is that he is not the first player to go public, and it is a tactic that many others have used in the past.

Keane did not stop there. He added:

“You will never see real professionals or real team players doing this. Argentinians have won major titles together because they respect each other and respect the process.”

“They do not go around publicly announcing their dream club or telling their current team that a transfer is best for everyone. Those boys fight for the shirt they are wearing right now.”

Keane tears into Alvarez

Keane’s strongest criticism came when discussing Alvarez’s claim that a move would be best for everyone. He said:

“You have to show respect to the club that pays you. You have to perform on the pitch, win titles where you are, and then talk about transfers if they come up. You do not force a situation by going to the media and saying that a transfer is best for everyone.”

Alvarez openly admitted his desire to leave Atletico. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

He then added:

“Listen, I am fed up already. The boy is 26 years old. He has been at Atletico for a couple of seasons and he is already telling the world that he has spoken with the club and that a transfer is best for everyone because he wants to fulfil his dream.”

“This is not the time to talk about it, but I cannot hide? If it is not the time, then shut up! But he cannot help it. He has to make it public.”

Concluding, the Manchester United legend said: “Is a transfer best for everyone? Best for everyone? Best for him, maybe. Not for Atletico Madrid, the club that signed him, paid him and gave him the opportunity.

“You do not decide what is best for everyone when you are still wearing their shirt. That is not honesty, it is selfishness disguised as transparency.”

Barça need desire, but also caution

Keane has never been someone who minces his words, and he has absolutely torn into the Argentine attacker in this situation.

For Barcelona, Alvarez’s desire is useful, but this saga is becoming politically dangerous.

The player may want the Camp Nou, and Hansi Flick may see him as the ideal forward, but Barça cannot afford to look like they are turning the situation into a public war.

There have been reports about an extreme scenario that Alvarez could take to force his move to the Catalan club, which could become legally messy.

As much as Barcelona want to sign Alvarez, they need to find a way to make this smooth with Atletico Madrid.

Although it looks impossible right now, if the Catalan club manage to get Atletico Madrid to the table for negotiations, that is their best shot, and it remains to be seen how things play out.