'We intend to sign Alvarez': Barcelona spark further fury with fresh Laporta comments

Updated: 26 Aug 2026 15:13 BST | 4 min read

Julian Alvarez, Joan Laporta, Barcelona — © IMAGO

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted his side’s intention is still to sign Julian Alvarez this summer in the hope that ‘respectful’ negotiations can be held with Atletico Madrid.

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Alvarez has been pushing to join Barcelona but Atletico have insisted that they have no desire to sell their star man at any price, leading to tension between the player and his club.

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

ETV Range

€84M - €102.7M

Atletico have considered selling Alvarez to another team such as Arsenal, however the player has refused talks and is only looking to join Barcelona and, with both sides engulfed in a bitter public feud throughout the summer, Laporta has now pushed for a peaceful resolution.

"We are very interested in the player and would like our offer to be accepted,” Laporta said. “We do this with all due respect to Atlético de Madrid, and we want them to know that if they are in a position to sell in this summer transfer window, we would be willing to buy the player, provided they accept the offer we have made.

“Deco and I thought that, seeing as they weren't selling him, we'd put the matter on hold. What happened? We've received information that Atlético Madrid is negotiating with other clubs for the player. We remain in the running with our offer because it's common knowledge that the player wants to come to Barça. We remain in the running, and the offer is still valid; it remains open should Atleti want to sell the player."

"It seems the player wants to come to Barça, therefore, we maintain our hope, our intention, with all due respect to Atlético de Madrid, to sign him. We stand by our proposal, our offer, and hopefully there will be an agreement between the two clubs.”

🎤 President Joan Laporta speaks on the signing of Julián Alvarez.

▶️ Full footage—where he also addresses last Sunday’s incidents in Elche—is now on Barça Play.

👉 https://t.co/RB716w5SIG pic.twitter.com/yjsteKjzT4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 26, 2026

Atletico Madrid refuse to bow to Barcelona pressure to sell Alvarez

Despite Laporta’s comments, Atletico were quick to respond and reiterate that there is a ‘zero percent’ chance of Alvarez moving to Barcelona this summer.

© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid.

"The player is being portrayed as a victim, but we are the only victims in the Julián case," Atlético Madrid sources told MARCA. “We have been harmed both financially and socially.

“There is a 0% chance of selling him to Barça. This situation isn't about money, it's about dignity.”

Atletico also criticised the reporting around Alvarez, which has seen suggestions that the player’s mental health and safety have been compromised due to the tension with the club’s fans.

“A campaign has been created with many lies and half-truths. The only one paying the price for this is Atlético. It's incomprehensible that such sensitive topics as mental health and anxiety or depression are being 'played with.”