Atletico Madrid Chief: Alvarez Will 'Never, Ever' Join Barcelona

Atletico Madrid's chief executive, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, has definitively closed the door on Barcelona's pursuit of Argentine forward Julian Alvarez. Marin vehemently rejected the Catalan club's interest, accusing them of dishonesty and declaring that Alvarez would "never, ever" be sold to Barcelona.

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The truth is that it outrages us even more; we are repulsed by the dishonesty, the lack of ethics, transparency and professionalism, and we can only insist that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances.

Marin's strong statement came a day after Barcelona's president expressed continued "very strong interest" in signing Alvarez, whom Atletico insists is not for sale to their LaLiga rivals. Speaking after the Champions League league phase draw, Gil Marin stated that Atletico's stance is unified from top to bottom: "We are repulsed by the dishonesty, the lack of ethics, transparency and professionalism, and we can only insist that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances."

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I have the support of everyone working with me, from shareholders to directors, and the only certain and firm decision is that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances; you have my word – which is one of the few things I have – the player will most certainly not be transferred to Barcelona.

He emphasized the unwavering decision, stating, "you have my word – which is one of the few things I have – the player will most certainly not be transferred to Barcelona." Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste reacted angrily to Marin's remarks, calling them "a lack of manners and respect" and asserting that "with those words, they've crossed a red line."

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It is a lack of manners and respect. With those words, they've crossed a red line.

Gil Marin also addressed the impact of the transfer saga on Alvarez himself, describing the player as "very confused and going through a very difficult time, both personally and professionally." He acknowledged that people have tried to deceive and confuse the forward. While Marin's preference is for Alvarez to remain at Atletico, he conceded that if staying is no longer feasible, an alternative would be sought, but "it will never, ever be Barcelona."

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Julian is really struggling; there have been people who have set out to deceive and confuse him, and I'm very sorry about that. I know him and we've been working with him for some time; he's a great professional and footballer, but he's very confused and going through a very difficult time, both personally and professionally.