Olmo Questions Atlético as Barça’s €100m Julián Álvarez Bid is Rejected

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo expressed confusion over Atlético Madrid's refusal to negotiate a deal for Julián Álvarez despite a bid exceeding €100 million.

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo publicly questioned Atlético Madrid’s decision to block a move for Julián Álvarez after the Catalan club submitted a bid exceeding €100 million ($116m) earlier this summer. Despite the Argentina forward expressing a desire to change clubs in June, Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín stated he would "never" sanction a transfer to the Spanish champions. This stance followed Atlético reporting Barcelona to FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation for an alleged illegal approach toward the striker.

Speaking at an event in Terrassa on Wednesday, Olmo noted that Álvarez had been clear about his professional ambitions. The 24-year-old forward was jeered by his own supporters during a 2-2 draw against Villarreal at the Metropolitano on August 23, his only appearance of the current campaign. Following that fixture, Álvarez missed several days of training and was absent from the squad during Atlético’s recent victory at Sevilla.

Hansi Flick Secures Gabriel Jesus as Alternative

After it became clear that Atlético would not negotiate, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and coach Hansi Flick pivoted to sign Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus on Tuesday. The deal for the former Arsenal man is worth an initial €10 million ($11.6m). Jesus reportedly accepted a pay cut to facilitate the move, which Flick prioritized following the summer departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. The arrival of Jesus completed a window in which Barça made six first-team signings, including attackers Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.

Álvarez had remained the top priority for the Catalan side throughout the transfer period. Sources confirmed the player intended to join Barcelona and specifically rejected interest from Arsenal to keep the possibility of a move to Spotify Camp Nou alive. While the window has closed with the forward still in Madrid, club sources indicate that Barcelona remains in the market for a long-term striker and continues to view the Argentine as a primary target for future windows.

Atlético’s Disciplinary Stance and Upcoming Schedule

Miguel Ángel Gil Marín’s refusal to engage in talks stems from the ongoing dispute regarding Barcelona’s recruitment tactics. The Atlético CEO’s firm "never" regarding a sale to their domestic rivals left Barcelona unable to progress despite their nine-figure offer. Olmo remarked that while external situations prevented the deal, the current Barcelona squad remains competitive following their other successful acquisitions.

Diego Simeone now prepares to reintegrate Álvarez into the starting XI during a stretch of three consecutive away matches. Atlético Madrid will travel to face Athletic Club, Liverpool, and Real Sociedad before returning to their home stadium. The next scheduled match at the Metropolitano is against Osasuna on September 16, which will be Álvarez's first opportunity to play in front of home fans since the August 23 draw where he faced significant crowd hostility.

Barcelona Academy Exodus and Squad Changes

Beyond the pursuit of Álvarez, Barcelona’s summer was marked by significant roster turnover, including the departure of academy product Casadó to Deportivo La Coruña. The club’s inability to land their primary target resulted in a shift in strategy, focusing on the immediate availability of Jesus to fill the No. 9 role. Olmo emphasized that the team must now focus on the season ahead, noting that the competition within the squad is high despite the "external situations" that halted the high-profile pursuit of the Atlético forward.