Atletico Madrid reject £130m Real Madrid bid for striker Julian Alvarez
Atletico Madrid have rejected a staggering £130m bid from city rivals Real Madrid for Argentina striker Julian Alvarez as he prepares for the World Cup.
The 26-year-old is at the centre of a dramatic transfer battle involving Spain’s top three clubs, with Barcelona also closely monitoring the situation.
Real president Florentino Perez tabled the €150m offer to fulfil an election promise of signing a marquee player.
However, Atletico executives immediately dismissed the sensational approach from their fierce cross-city counterparts.
Leaving Manchester City
The Argentine international joined his current employers in August 2024 for £81.5m after growing frustrated at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite winning the Treble and claiming six major trophies in England, he was unhappy playing as a deputy to Erling Haaland.
Former manager Pep Guardiola allowed the forward to depart, generating a massive profit on a player originally signed for just £14.1m.
“I simply told him how I felt – that I wanted more minutes in some matches where I knew I wouldn’t get them.”
“He gave me the freedom to choose my path.”
Julian Alvarez
Flourishing under Simeone
Since relocating to the Spanish capital, the World Cup winner has fully justified his desire to be a leading frontman.
The prolific attacker has registered 49 goals and 17 assists in 106 appearances under Diego Simeone.
He has consistently delivered in crucial fixtures, notably scoring in recent Copa del Rey and Champions League campaigns.
Legendary French striker Thierry Henry recently singled out the South American for immense praise on The Overlap.
“One of my favourite number nines out there is Julian Alvarez.”
“Putting pressure, playing alone, he can hold it up. The way he plays, I just like him.”
Thierry Henry
For now, the highly coveted forward will shift his focus to international duty as Argentina attempt to secure back-to-back global triumphs.