Real Madrid has entered a transfer rivalry with Barcelona after their €150 million ($173 million) offer for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez was rejected.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, recently re-elected until 2030, had announced last Friday that a major transfer bid would be made this week.
After a board meeting on Tuesday, Los Blancos confirmed they had indeed submitted a €150 million bid for Álvarez, who is also a target for Barcelona, as well as Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid’s statement argued that the ongoing Negreira case highlights systemic refereeing corruption favoring Barça, urging UEFA to impose sporting sanctions and consider stripping titles or potentially excluding them from European competitions.
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Atlético Madrid responded promptly, stating they “would not entertain” any offers for Álvarez.
“We announce that following the board of directors meeting held [Tuesday], the club has put forth a €150 million offer to Atlético Madrid for the federative rights of Álvarez,” Real Madrid mentioned in a statement.
“After evaluating the offer, Atlético expressed appreciation for the proposal, made amid positive relations between the two clubs, but ultimately rejected it, citing the player’s release clause.”
Álvarez, whose contract extends until 2030 with a release clause set at €500 million ($577 million), is anticipated to be the centerpiece of one of the most significant transfer sagas this summer.
ESPN has previously reported that Barça is eyeing the striker as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, having secured a €70 million ($81 million) deal for England winger Anthony Gordon in May.
However, Atlético’s reaction to Barça’s reported €100 million ($115 million) bid for Álvarez was one of anger, resulting in several derisory social media posts slamming the Catalan club for “calculated leaks, fake news, and continual disrespect.”
Champions League finalists Arsenal and PSG have also expressed interest in the former Manchester City star.
Atlético’s response to Madrid on Tuesday mirrored their reaction to Barça.
“You must have confused courtesy with gratitude, but to clarify: We do not thank you for anything,” the club posted on social media.
“We neither consider nor evaluate any offer for Julián. How could we not get along with you [Real Madrid] when you provide us with more laughs than Barça does?”
Madrid’s pursuit of Álvarez comes amid escalating tensions with Spanish champions Barça.
Pérez has recently sent documentation to UEFA requesting an investigation into Barça for payments made to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the refereeing association in Spain.
Barça reportedly paid over €7 million ($8 million) to companies associated with Negreira between 2001 and 2018, claiming it was for referee-analysis reports and technical consultation.
Barça’s interim president Rafa Yuste countered on Tuesday, stating that the club will take legal action in response.
“[Madrid] can’t handle the fact that we have won so many titles,” Yuste said. “Our legal team is prepared to take action against them and their president. He has resorted to slander to try to destabilize us.
“We will confront them in court. No one will tarnish Barça’s reputation. We will ensure this is addressed. Do they really think sending 500 pages to UEFA will intimidate us? Just wait and see.”