At a glance
- Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has responded to rumours linking him to FC Barcelona.
- ESPN reported that the Catalans have contacted Atleti to start talks over a possible transfer.
- With a contract until 2030, the Argentine won’t come cheap.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has addressed rumours linking him to FC Barcelona ahead of taking on Arsenal in the Champions League semifinals.
“I can’t be always come out to clarify or deny them all the time. I don’t give importance to what comes out on social media because it is often made into a ball of lies,” Alvarez said. “That’s why I don’t spend energy on that. I save it for the things that interest me and for what I can do to help the team.”
Alvarez added that he’s currently in “the most important moment of the season”. Because of that, he wants to be well “so I can help the team and do great things here”.
Alvarez to Barcelona rumour mill has gone into overdrive
Alvarez took to the press room ahead almost immediately after ESPN broke a major report on his future.
As explained by Reshad Rahman for ReadBarcelona, Barca have contacted Atletico Madrid to sound out a possible transfer involving the 26-year-old, with admirer and President Joan Laporta heavily involved.
Alvarez is the number one priority in the transfer window this summer, alongside Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni. Yet while the Italian is believed to cost something like €50-60 million, the Blaugrana might need around €200 million to land Alvarez, who has a contract until mid-2030.
With Robert Lewandowski‘s own terms expiring on June 30, head coach Hansi Flick has ordered the signing of a number 9.
The German wants the Champions League title before leaving club management. And Julian, who scored a free kick in the 2-0 quarterfinal first leg win against Barca, is the calibre of striker that can help him achieve this.
