Atletico Madrid president shuts the door on Barcelona target’s exit – ‘Not for sale’

Madrid – Any hopes FC Barcelona harboured of luring Julián Álvarez across the Clásico divide this summer were emphatically extinguished on Wednesday night by Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo, who left no room for negotiation: “He is not for sale.”

Barça’s search for a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, whose contract expires in June, has identified the 25-year-old Argentine striker as the primary target. Yet Atlético, who tied Álvarez to a deal that runs until 2030, have no intention of cashing in on their marquee forward.

Speaking ahead of the Copa del Rey semifinal second leg at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Cerezo underlined the club’s stance with characteristic bluntness.

“He is an Atlético Madrid player, like Antoine Griezmann, and he has a contract with us,” Cerezo told reporters. “He is worth a lot, and he is not for sale.”

The timing of the declaration was no accident. Atlético carry a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and could seal a final berth with any result short of a historic collapse. Cerezo, however, dismissed any notion of complacency.

“I see it well, like every match. It is another game that has to be won, and that is why we have come, to win it,” he said. “All matches are long. What we have to do is go out to win, and we will do so.”

Asked about Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, the Atlético chief answered with a grin: “Barça has Lamine? We have Julián, Tomford, Smith, and many more,” inventing the last two names on the spot and drawing laughter from the press corps.

With Álvarez officially off the market, Barcelona must now look elsewhere for the striker they hope will spearhead their post-Lewandowski era.