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

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

The Atlético Madrid striker has become the obsession of the top powers. Just a few days ago, strong tension erupted on social media between the “Colchonero” club and Real Madrid, after Florentino Pérez’s club submitted an impressive offer of 150 million euros, which was rejected for being considered insufficient.

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

The condition Barça is imposing on “La Araña”

For the deal to start taking shape, the Catalan club’s management is waiting for a key gesture from the former River player: that he publicly express his desire to leave, replicating 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 president’s slip-up when talking about Julián

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

“Yes, the offer from Florentino’s Real Madrid arrived and you already know what was said. You want to keep repeating this 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 can take him,” the executive 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 market.

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