Atletico Madrid president’s clear message to Barcelona over Julian Alvarez: ‘From the very first moment…’ | OneFootball

Barcelona have not given up on signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid despite Los Colchoneros’ stubborn stance from the beginning.

The Spanish capital club have been very clear that the Argentine will not be sold to Barça, irrespective of the bid this summer.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has once again made the club’s position on Alvarez perfectly clear.

Cerezo reiterates Atletico stance on Julian

Speaking before Atletico’s board of directors’ lunch ahead of their La Liga opener against Malaga, Cerezo addressed both the club’s ambitions and the uncertainty surrounding their star forward.

“Barcelona were told from the very first moment that we wanted to keep Julian,” Cerezo said, as quoted by Gonzalo Palafox, leaving little room for interpretation regarding Atletico’s official position.

Atletico Madrid remain firm. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Cerezo also addressed the tension that has developed between the striker and sections of the Atletico support.

“I don’t know if Julian will apologize, but he will win over the fans in two matches,” the Atletico president said.

Atletico have not just decided that they will not sell Alvarez, but they are already outlining plans for how to reintegrate him once he is ready.

The Spanish club have left the 26-year-old out of their squad for the first game of the season against Malaga.

Diego Simeone mentioned that the striker was not in the right condition to be involved in the game, hinting at him needing some time before returning.

Move off? (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

It may be time for Barça to move on

Barcelona have been at it to sign Alvarez this summer, but it may be time to accept defeat and move on to alternatives.

Atletico have gone way too far with their resolute stance, to the point that going back on their word now would make them look weak.

As for the Catalans, as much as their dream might be to sign Alvarez and the Argentine’s to wear Blaugrana, he is under contract at Atletico.

This is a transfer saga that has dragged on for far too long for anyone’s liking, and with not long left to go, Barcelona need to recalibrate their plans.

There are suggestions that the Catalans could choose to wait until January, but that would be too big a risk to take.

Hansi Flick’s squad is currently without a recognised senior striker, and the onus is now on Deco to move for an alternative and try to sign him in the coming weeks.