Barcelona boss Laporta warns Atletico Madrid that Julian Alvarez’s offer could expire
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has warned that the club’s “big offer” for Julian Alvarez will not stay on the table forever as the Spanish champions continue their pursuit of the Atletico Madrid striker.
The Argentine has informed Atletico of his desire to leave this summer and is attracting interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Laporta has made it clear that Barcelona will not wait forever to make a decision.
“We have made an unlimited offer, and later we will announce how long the offer remains on the table,” Laporta said after arriving in Dallas ahead of Spain’s World Cup semi-final against France.
“The request was made with the aim of signing the player who appeals to the sports managers and the coach.
“I think he is a great player; we keep a good promise, but the validity of this offer is unlimited.”
Barcelona refused to enter the bidding war
Alvarez joined Atletico from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth €75 million and remains under contract until 2030.
The 26-year-old recently confirmed that he has spoken to Atletico officials about his desire to move on, with the Madrid club rejecting a reported €150m bid from Real Madrid last month.
Atletico are also understood to be reluctant to sell one of their star players to local rivals Barcelona.
Laporta insisted that Barcelona will not be drawn into the transfer battle.
“Regarding the signing of Julian, it is clear that we will not dance to someone else’s song – we will set the pace,” he said.
“I spoke with Miguel Angel Gil; as usual, we spoke openly and freely, and I understand that we have a very good relationship with them.
“There was confusion at the beginning about the request we made; I clarified that with him.
“As I understand it, we never put any more pressure on them – I just told him that as long as they have another way for Julian, this proposal is always on the table, that’s where we stand; it hasn’t moved forward yet.”
Adeyemi is as close as Raphinha stays
Although uncertainty remains over Alvarez’s future, Laporta has confirmed that Barcelona are close to completing a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Karim Adeyemi.
The German is expected to be Barca’s second summer signing following the arrival of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
“We are very happy with Adeyemi,” said Laporta.
“We’ve liked him for a long time now. He’s dangerous and quick, and Deco has been a very good signing.”
Laporta also tried to end speculation about Raphinha after reports linking the Brazilian with a move to Saudi Arabia.
“Raphinha will definitely stay,” he said.
“With Gordon and Adeyemi, I can see that we are strengthening our attack, but that does not mean that we will let go of Raphinha – he is the key for us.
“It’s a shame that last season he couldn’t do very well in the final stages of the league, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. The results would have been different.”
Laporta praises Messi’s heroics in the World Cup
Laporta was also asked about reports linking Paris Saint-Germain with Spanish striker Ferran Torres, but dismissed the speculation.
“I’ve heard something like that, but we don’t know this,” he said.
“He is a Barca player, one of the 14 players we have here at the World Cup.”
The Barcelona president also reserved special praise for former team-mate Lionel Messi, who inspired Argentina to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup with eight goals and two assists in six games.
“Messi’s World Cup performance was amazing,” said Laporta.
“Eight goals, some of them amazing, and his talent always shines.
“Argentina plays for Messi; they are a very tight team, and they are lucky to have Leo, who always helps them.”
