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Transfers

Laporta Renews Attack on Atletico Over Alvarez Deal

Barcelona's president says Atletico Madrid played the victim during failed talks for Julian Alvarez, who has struggled for form since the transfer collapsed.

Published 1 min read Sportpul editorial
Barcelona president Laporta speaking at a podium during a club assembly

Joan Laporta has taken another swipe at Atletico Madrid over the summer's failed Julian Alvarez transfer, accusing the club of playing the victim in negotiations that went nowhere.

Alvarez had asked to leave Atletico in the summer, with Barcelona and Arsenal both in the frame. Atletico refused to deal with Barcelona and talks with Arsenal also collapsed, leaving the Argentine at the Metropolitano.

The 26-year-old's contract runs to June 2030 and Marca puts his market value at €120m. He has started the season slowly: a muscular problem kept him out of the trip to Real Sociedad and the midweek game against Osasuna, and he has made just one league appearance for Atletico since the window shut.

Barcelona finished the summer without a replacement for the Alvarez pursuit and Laporta struck a conciliatory tone on his own squad, saying the club is happy with the group it has and that the group is ready for the campaign.

Álvarez's stuttering start under Diego Simeone, with the Madrid derby against Real Madrid also on the horizon, means this saga is unlikely to be the last word from Barcelona on how the deal fell apart.

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