Atletico Madrid complains to FIFA over Barcelona's alleged tapping up of Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid has lodged a complaint with FIFA, accusing Barcelona of improperly approaching player Julian Alvarez. A source from the Catalan club confirmed the complaint to AFP on Thursday, alleging that Barcelona engaged in prohibited contact with the Argentine striker to encourage him to seek a departure from Atletico.

Alvarez himself had previously expressed during the World Cup that it would be "the best thing for everyone" if Atletico allowed him to leave, amid significant transfer interest from Barcelona. Atletico reportedly believes Barcelona's actions constitute an attempt to persuade the 26-year-old attacker to force his exit from the club.

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it would be “the best thing for everyone” for Atletico to let him leave

Reports from Spanish media suggest that Atletico has also submitted a complaint to the Spanish football federation (RFEF). However, the RFEF had not responded to AFP's request for comment at the time of reporting.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta had stated earlier in July that the club had made an offer to Atletico for Alvarez, which they intended to keep on the table. Atletico had previously rejected a 150 million euro offer from Real Madrid for Alvarez in June, a move widely seen as an attempt by Real's president Florentino Perez to disrupt a potential deal with Barcelona. Barcelona is seeking to replace striker Robert Lewandowski, who departed at the end of last season, with Alvarez.

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his side had made an offer to Atletico for Alvarez which they would leave on the table for as long as they see fit.