Joan Laporta strongly criticized Atlético de Madrid over the aborted transfer of Julián Álvarez to FC Barcelona. Questioned during the General Assembly of Barça delegates, the Catalan president returned to the tensions that emerged between the two clubs during the transfer window. “ They feigned offense because they were unable to justify their attitude. Finally, they lowered the mask and admitted that they wanted to sell Julián, but not to Barça “, he declared, in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo.
According to Laporta, Barça had studied the possibility of recruiting the Argentine striker in compliance with the rules, but came up against Atlético’s refusal to strengthen a direct competitor. The Blaugrana leader thus publicly responds to the discontent expressed by the Madrid club when Catalan interest in Julián Álvarez was revealed. The Argentine world champion ultimately stayed at Atlético despite the steps taken by Barcelona during the transfer window.
