Overview
- Real Madrid confirmed on Tuesday that it formally offered €150 million for Julián Álvarez and said Atlético Madrid rejected the proposal after citing the player’s release clause.
- Atlético posted a pointed social media rebuttal saying Álvarez is not for sale and ridiculing Real Madrid, deepening public tensions between the two Madrid clubs.
- Álvarez is under contract through June 2030 with reports estimating his release clause at about €500 million, a factor Atlético says puts it in a strong negotiating position.
- Florentino Pérez made the bid after pledging during his re-election campaign to spend €150 million on a marquee signing and Real also announced coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s departure on the same day.
- Barcelona, PSG and Arsenal remain linked to Álvarez and some journalists have suggested unverified contractual provisions could allow a lower fee for certain buyers which, if proven, would reshape the market this summer.