Atletico Madrid president shuts the door on Barcelona target’s exit – ‘He wants to stay here’ | OneFootball

With FC Barcelona set to enter the market for a new striker in the summer of 2026, the name of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez has been heavily linked.

The 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina is a player that the Blaugrana admire a great deal and see as a top target to replace Robert Lewandowski, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

It has been further suggested that Alvarez happens to be Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s preferred candidate to become the club’s next marquee striker.

Julian Alvarez will not leave, says Atletico Madrid president

However, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has slammed the door shut on any possibility of Julian Alvarez leaving the club next year.

Cerezo spoke to the media before attending the directors’ lunch with Inter Milan representatives at a restaurant in the Spanish capital.

Enrique Cerezo (R), Atletico Madrid president. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

The Atletico chief was asked whether Apollo’s investment in the club would help retain players such as Alvarez. Cerezo was firm in his response, saying:

“That was and is the case before and after their [Apollo] arrival. We had anticipated that before they came.”

“The idea of ​​Julian being protected is something you all made up. Julian has a contract, and he has to fulfil it, like everyone else. Julian is a player we want, and he wants to stay here, so what more reinforcement does he need?” continued the Atlético president.

On being pressed about whether the club was going to renew his contract, Cerezo replied: “He’s been with us for a year, and he has five or six more!”

The Atleti president once again made it clear that Alvarez was not for sale, saying: “We are not open to negotiating for Julián or any other player. 

“Now, if a team comes for a player and he wants to leave, then he’ll leave, but right now there isn’t a single player who wants to leave.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo