No let-up in market: Julián wants Barça, Cerezo erupts at Atlético | OneFootball

While he is with the Argentina national team in the United States for the 2026 World Cup, Julián Álvarez is making waves in the European transfer market. “La Araña” is at the center of a tug-of-war between the giants of the Old Continent, but his stance is already clear: he wants to take his goals to Barcelona.

The Atlético de Madrid striker has become the obsession of the biggest powers. Just a few days ago, tensions flared on social media between Atleti and Real Madrid after Florentino Pérez’s club submitted a huge €150 million offer, which was rejected for being considered insufficient.

However, Los Blancos are not alone in the race. Clubs the size of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are closely tracking his every move. Despite Atlético’s desire to sell him to French or English football (if they cannot keep him), the Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo revealed that the Córdoba native’s absolute priority is to wear the blaugrana shirt.

The condition Barça is putting on “La Araña”

For the deal to start taking shape, the Catalan club’s board is waiting for one key gesture from the former River player: that he publicly expresses his desire to leave, repeating the strategy he used in 2024 to force his exit from Manchester City. In Barcelona, they see him as the ideal replacement to fill the attacking void left by Robert Lewandowski after his departure from the club at the end of the season was confirmed.

Atlético’s president’s slip-up when talking about Julián

The pressure of the market is already causing friction in Madrid. Enrique Cerezo, Atlético de Madrid’s president, showed his annoyance at the constant questions about interest from Los Blancos, although he produced a blunder by confusing the footballer’s surname with that of a well-known Spanish actor:

“Yes, the offer arrived from Florentino’s Real Madrid and you already know what was said. You want to keep repeating this over and over, and one gets tired of it. Julián López is an Atlético player, and whoever wants Julián López should come, look at the contract, and if they’re interested, they’ll take him,” the chairman said, visibly annoyed.

With the World Cup underway, the future of the Argentine striker promises to be one of the biggest soap operas of the summer transfer window.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.