La Liga rivals open to selling Barcelona target to Real Madrid – report | OneFootball

The saga of Julian Alvarez’s future with Atletico Madrid has taken a steep turn in recent days, with the player’s public admission of a desire to leave the club acting as a pivotal point.

His announcement came completely out of the blue after Argentina’s win over Austria, and arrived as a public plea for the club to allow him to leave.

There is much speculation that the player came out to make the said admission at the demand of Barcelona, who required an effort from his side to progress with the negotiations.

Atletico Madrid, however, are firmly against selling the player to the Catalans under any circumstances and are even considering legal action.

Real Madrid are an option

One of Atletico Madrid’s biggest arguments against selling the player to Barcelona is that they refuse to strengthen a direct rival.

It would be a sporting disaster and an even more difficult decision to explain to the fans.

Atletico Madrid do not mind selling to Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

El Chiringuito, however, have now come forward with a surprising update that changes the narrative completely.

According to the Spanish outlet, Atletico Madrid are not opposed to selling the player to Real Madrid despite them being a direct rival as well.

What this only means is that Los Rojiblancos see more aversion to the Catalan side now, even more than they resent Real Madrid.

Los Blancos, moreover, tabled an offer of €150 million for the player immediately after the presidential election result and the proposal was turned down at the time.

Alvarez is likely not on Perez’s radar. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

That number, needless to say, is the biggest standing offer that Atletico Madrid have for the departure-seeking striker and they could well look to cash in when still possible.

A question of need

Real Madrid may indeed have tabled an offer for Alvarez earlier this month, but that does not mean that the club want or need the signing.

It appears that Florentino Perez and Atletico Madrid conspired on an intelligent ploy at the time to kill two birds with one stone – fulfil Perez’s promise of a Galactico offer and deter Barcelona from Alvarez’s pursuit.

Real Madrid currently have no intention of making a bid for Alvarez as matters stand, and that stance is unlikely to change given how they already have the centre-forward department well covered. Atletico Madrid’s willingness to sell, thus, may not prove significant.