![\"Julian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_GettyImages-2286403981.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBarcelona were dealt a huge blow on Friday in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez with the Spanish club releasing an extraordinary statement<\/p>\n
Julian Alvarez is being strongly linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid this summer(Image: Jean Catuffe)<\/p>\n
In a remarkable, yet typical La Liga fashion, Atletico Madrid took to their social media channels on Friday morning<\/a> to issue a ‘stay away’ plea regarding Julian Alvarez<\/a>.<\/p>\n The intended recipient? Mainly Barcelona, though Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in the Argentina international forward. Barca have been chasing Alvarez for the majority of the summer but a deal now looks extremely complicated – and, according to Atleti’s CEO Miguel Angel Gil, impossible.<\/p>\n “My opinion is clear, the club’s will is clear, we have made it clear to the player, the agent, the president of Barca,” said Gil in a video<\/a> posted on Atletico’s social media channels. “I have no doubt that Atletico is the place in the world for Julian and Julian is the perfect striker for Atletico de Madrid.<\/p>\n FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n “We want to continue counting on him. I recently heard the president say that the offer made to Atletico de Madrid wasn’t unlimited, and the only possible response is that our response is unlimited.<\/p>\n “We don’t want to transfer him; we won’t accept this \u20ac100million offer, nor will we accept one for \u20ac150m or \u20ac200m.”<\/p>\n Such statements, or of similar ilk, have become the norm for La Liga clubs this summer, it seems. See Real Madrid’s extraordinary statement regarding Enzo Fernandez<\/a> from earlier in the month. Whether they are the club’s outright, unmovable stances, or if there are some mind games going on – well, that’s for you to decide.<\/p>\n Either way, it appears unlikely Alvarez will be on the move this summer in what could prove an enormous blow to Barcelona, who are chasing a No.9 following Robert Lewandowski’s departure at the end of last season.<\/p>\n Initially, Barca expressed an interest in Joao Pedro<\/a>, but were quickly told by Chelsea – in rather blunt fashion – that last season’s top goal scorer is not for sale this summer<\/a>. The Blues consider the Brazil international, signed last summer for \u00a360m from Brighton, untouchable.<\/p>\n