Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed the club's offer for Julian Alvarez remains on the table after learning Atletico Madrid are negotiating with other clubs over the striker's future. The Argentina international was booed by his own fans at the weekend and remains desperate to join Barcelona this summer.
Barcelona's position clarified
Laporta explained that Barcelona had made a formal offer for Alvarez, which was rejected, and had been prepared to halt their interest after Atletico indicated they had no intention of selling. However, the Catalan club decided to remain in pursuit after receiving information that Atletico are in talks with other clubs.
"We made an offer from club to club. I confirmed this offer in a personal phone conversation with [Atletico president] Miguel Ángel Gil," Laporta said in a statement. "They told me they had no intention of selling because they had no alternative to Julián, and I told them that we were interested, but that we respected their decision not to sell, although if they found an alternative in this transfer window, we would be interested in making the signing."
Atletico's response
Arsenal remain interested in signing the former Manchester City star, with Mikel Arteta eager to add another forward to his Premier League-winning squad. Atletico have privately agreed to enter talks with Arsenal should an acceptable offer come in, but Alvarez only wants to join Barcelona.
In response to Laporta's comments, Atletico have insisted in unequivocal terms that they will not be doing business with Barcelona this summer. "There is a zero per cent chance of selling him to Barca. This situation isn't about money; it's about dignity," the club said. "A campaign full of lies and half-truths have been created. The only ones paying the price for all this are Atletico."
The saga now looks set to continue into the final week of the transfer window, with Barcelona's offer still valid should Atletico decide to sell.
