Laporta keeps Barcelona’s Álvarez bid alive as Atletico insists he’s not for sale

By: Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press Posted: 10:57 AM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

MADRID (AP) — The Julián Álvarez saga continued Wednesday with Barcelona president Joan Laporta saying the club maintains its offer to sign the Argentina forward from Atletico Madrid.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

MADRID (AP) — The Julián Álvarez saga continued Wednesday with Barcelona president Joan Laporta saying the club maintains its offer to sign the Argentina forward from Atletico Madrid.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

MADRID (AP) — The Julián Álvarez saga continued Wednesday with Barcelona president Joan Laporta saying the club maintains its offer to sign the Argentina forward from Atletico Madrid.

Laporta’s comments came on a day Álvarez did not train with Atletico because of what the Madrid club said was an “indisposition,” according to Spanish media.

The 26-year-old player had already told Atletico he wants out, but the club has insisted it wants to keep him.

FILE - Argentina's Julian Alvarez, left, and Switzerland's Nico Elvedi (4) vie for the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, file)

Laporta reiterated Barcelona’s offer that he personally had made in a phone call with Atletico official Miguel Ángel Gil. Laporta did not give more detail about the offer.

“The Barça offer is still valid in case they want to sell him,” Laporta told club media. “From what is being said, it appears that the player wants to come to Barça, so we reiterate our interest and our intention, with all due respect to Atletico Madrid, to try to sign the player.”

Álvarez was left out of Atletico’s squad for the Spanish league opener and was booed by the team’s fans in the second match Sunday, when he came in as a substitute.

“We would like to reach an understanding with Atletico Madrid, and hopefully there will be an agreement, that in case they do sell the player, that we are the ones that acquire his services,” Laporta said.

Atletico reportedly reiterated its intention not to sell Álvarez following Laporta’s latest statements. It has accused Barcelona of trying to pressure the club into selling the player, according to local media.