500 million or nothing! Atlético lays down impossible terms for Barcelona on Álvarez

The saga surrounding Julián Álvarez’s future has reached the point of no return.

Details: According to El Desmarque, Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has personally taken charge of the situation with Julián Álvarez. The Madrid club has laid down a firm stance for Barcelona: either the Catalans activate the €500 million release clause, or the Argentine forward will remain at Wanda Metropolitano. There is no third option.

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Atlético’s determination is easy to explain: the club has already turned down a €150 million offer from Real Madrid and publicly declared it won’t let Álvarez go for €100, €150, or even €200 million. Relations between the clubs are now completely fractured, with Gil Marín accusing Barcelona of “lies and disrespect” and even threatening to file a complaint with FIFA. For the record, the Argentine is under contract with Los Colchoneros until 2030.

Álvarez’s €500 million release clause would make him the most expensive footballer in history, more than doubling Neymar’s record-breaking €222 million move to PSG.

Reminder: Barcelona finds a backup option: deal for Álvarez close to collapse