English Premier League
Atletico Madrid could offer Julian Alvarez to Barcelona in January, says report
Atletico Madrid could offer forward Julian Alvarez to Barcelona during the January transfer window, according to claims made by Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez on the El Chiringuito programme.
The report, published by Sport, says Barcelona may have enough room under financial fair play rules to sign the Argentina international in the winter market. It also suggests Atletico could decide that selling Alvarez is necessary if the situation surrounding the player continues to deteriorate.
Jose Alvarez said he had received a clear message from Alvarez’s camp about the striker’s future at the Madrid club.
“The message coming from Julian Alvarez’s camp is decisive: he does not want to play for Atletico Madrid again. The situation will become untenable from now until January. Julian’s camp believes Atletico will be the ones to offer Julian to Barca in the winter market,” he said.
According to that account, Atletico could eventually contact Barcelona directly to ask whether they want to sign the player.
The claims come despite the summer transfer window having closed, with Alvarez’s name continuing to attract considerable attention. The report indicates that the pressure surrounding the forward, regular jeers from supporters and the psychological strain he is said to be experiencing have pushed the situation towards a critical point.
Jose Alvarez also suggested that the player could face further hostility at Atletico matches, increasing the likelihood that he will not want to remain with the club.
“The whistles will be aimed at him every week, and he will not want to continue at Atletico Madrid,” the journalist said.
That situation could leave Atletico considering a sale as a way of raising funds for their own recruitment plans. The club may need to generate money to complete the deals it wants to pursue, according to the report.
Jose Alvarez hinted that a significant development could take place before the start of the January market.
“From now until January, watch out for the possibility that Atletico will be the ones picking up the phone, because the situation will become untenable,” he said.
Another part of the account concerns the involvement of people with links to both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Those individuals are described as new parties who have entered the process and could have an influence on how any potential transfer develops.
The report therefore presents Barcelona as a possible destination for Alvarez if Atletico decide they can no longer maintain the current situation. It also claims that Barcelona’s financial fair play position could allow them to pursue the forward in January.
No transfer has been confirmed, and the claims are based on information attributed to Alvarez’s camp and comments made by Jose Alvarez on El Chiringuito.
A social media post promoting the report quoted Jose Alvarez as saying: “Julian’s camp believes Atletico will be the ones to offer Julian to Barca in January.” It also stated: “Barca has financial fair play to sign him in the winter.”
