Overview
- This week Spanish media reported Atlético president Miguel Ángel Gil Marín told Julián Álvarez the club would lower his €500m release clause if he reaches 20 goals this season, and the promise has not been formalised in writing.
- Atlético held firm during the summer by rejecting reported offers around €100m from Barcelona and €150m from Real Madrid, a stance that left Álvarez at the club and sparked boos and strained relations with supporters.
- Álvarez is considering ending his long-term relationship with agent Fernando Hidalgo and has held contacts with Javier Pastore’s agency The Elegant Game, a move that could alter how future transfer talks are handled.
- The striker’s ability to meet the 20-goal condition is uncertain because he has made only a handful of appearances so far and has worked to recover from a recent muscle issue that put his participation in the Madrid derby in doubt.
- FIFA changes to Article 17 due to take effect on January 1, 2027 could curb clubs’ use of prohibitive release clauses, which means any verbal promise by Atlético and the timing of a formal clause change may be affected by new regulations.