Julian Alvarez has gone nuclear.
The Argentina striker has long been linked with an Atletico Madrid exit and has now forced his club’s hand.
In an interview with ESPN, he said: “The best thing for everyone is a transfer; I want to fulfil my dream.
“I can’t hide, nor act as if I don’t want to be clear; I try to be honest.
“I spoke with people from Atlético and I think the best thing for everyone involved is for me to leave. I want to fulfil my dream.”
Alvarez has been chased by the world’s elite, including PSG, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Barcelona and Real Madrid make Alvarez bids
Barcelona reportedly submitted a €100million offer before the World Cup.
Madrid later released a statement confirming their €150m offer, which Atleti rejected.
Atleti have continually insisted Alvarez isn’t for sale, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation.
Insiders continue to claim that he and his agents are pushing for a move.
In fact, Alvarez himself hasn’t been great at ruling a departure out, most recently after a Champions League win over Tottenham.
“How should I know… I don’t know… Maybe yes, maybe no, you never know,” he said when asked if he’d be with Atleti next season.
“I’m very happy here and I’m focused on the present, working hard to give my best, and I’ve never said anything bad about the club. I’m very grateful.”
Alvarez has a €500m release clause in his contract, making his exit talk perhaps necessary.
On top of he and his agents pushing for a move, reports claim that sporting director Matheu Alemany is happy for a sale to help rebuild the squad.
He is also the main man for new majority American owners Apollo.
Atleti statement on Alvarez
Yet the club’s president, Enrique Cerezo, continues to insist the player isn’t for sale, even though he got his name wrong during a recent rebuff.
“Yes, Real Madrid’s offer from Florentino arrived, and you already know what was said to Real Madrid,” he commented.
“You keep repeating this, and one gets tired of it. Julian Lopez is an Atletico player.
“Whoever wants Julian Lopez should come, look at the contract, and if they’re interested, they can take him; and if they’re not interested, they won’t.
“It seems to be the big story of the summer. You all know exactly how the situation stands.
“He’s an Atletico de Madrid player, and I believe he will remain an Atletico de Madrid player.
“And if not, anyone who wants him can come and see the contract. We have no knowledge of anything, I’ll say it again.
“We have no knowledge of anything; we have a contract with the player, and if anyone wants him, let them come, talk to us, and we’ll show them the contract. And if they’re interested, they’ll leave.
“Enough of this Julian Lopez saga. Julian Lopez is an Atletico de Madrid player. Is that clear? Well, that’s it. The day he isn’t, you’ll know.”
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