Atlético Madrid’s chief executive, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, has firmly rejected the possibility of transferring forward Julián Álvarez to Barcelona. In a statement provided to the Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus, Gil Marín emphasized that the club has no intention of negotiating with their rivals, declaring that Álvarez will “never, ever” be sold to the Catalan side.

This public dismissal comes in response to comments made by Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Wednesday. Laporta had publicly stated that Barcelona remained “very interested” in acquiring the Argentine forward. Gil Marín’s response was notably sharp, as he accused the Barcelona leadership of dishonesty regarding their pursuit of the player. According to Gil Marín, the decision to block any potential move is supported by the entirety of the Atlético Madrid organization, from the executive level down to the staff.

While the two clubs hold opposing views on the potential for a transfer, the situation highlights the ongoing tension between the Spanish giants regarding player recruitment. As of now, Barcelona has not issued a formal counter-response to Gil Marín’s accusations of dishonesty, and the player remains under contract with Atlético Madrid. The firm stance taken by the Atlético executive suggests that any future attempts by Barcelona to secure Álvarez will face significant institutional resistance, regardless of the player's own status or market valuation.