Barcelona’s annual assembly offered a glimpse into one of the more strained conversations of the recent transfer window, with Joan Laporta describing Atlético Madrid’s stance over Julián Álvarez as a refusal to strengthen a direct Spanish rival.
Laporta revisits the Julián Álvarez pursuit
Speaking before FC Barcelona’s General Assembly of Delegate Members, the club president said Barcelona had explored a move for the Argentine forward within the rules of the market.
Laporta used the occasion to answer the frustration that had emerged from Madrid during the negotiations. His account was that Atlético’s objections masked a simpler decision: they were prepared to contemplate selling Álvarez, but not to Barcelona.
- Barcelona showed interest in signing Julián Álvarez during the transfer window.
- Talks with Atlético Madrid were described as tense.
- Laporta insisted Barcelona’s approach was legitimate.
- He said Atlético’s decisive objection was the prospect of reinforcing a direct rival.
“They wanted to sell him, but not to Barça”
Laporta accused the Atlético hierarchy of initially presenting themselves as offended because, in his view, they could not justify their position. He said that, ultimately, they revealed their true intention and accepted that Álvarez could be sold — just not to the Catalan club.
“They acted offended because they had no way to defend their attitude,” Laporta told the assembly. “In the end they dropped the mask and admitted they wanted to sell Julián, but not to Barça.”
A rivalry beyond the pitch
The comments underline how quickly transfer business can become an extension of the competitive tension between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. For Laporta, the issue was not whether Barcelona had acted improperly in attempting to recruit the Argentine attacker, but Atlético’s unwillingness to allow a leading domestic opponent to benefit from the deal.
In front of the Barcelona membership, the president sought to make that distinction clear: the club had investigated the possibility of bringing Álvarez to Catalonia, while Atlético chose not to make that route available.
