Joan Laporta denies tapping up Julian Álvarez amid Atlético feud

Barcelona President Joan Laporta has defended his club’s official transfer pursuit of Julián Álvarez, stating that the bid was submitted transparently and rejecting claims that Barcelona improperly influenced the Argentine forward.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly fired back at Atlético Madrid following their formal complaint to FIFA over the ongoing pursuit of striker Julián Álvarez.

Laporta strongly defended the Catalan club’s actions, clarifying that their official bid was strictly a transparent, club-to-club proposal.

He insisted that Barcelona did absolutely nothing to manipulate or force the 26-year-old Argentine international into seeking a summer exit.

The Blaugrana chief expressed profound confusion over Atlético’s hostile legal retaliation, noting that Álvarez had desired a move to Catalonia long before his stint with Manchester City.

While acknowledging that negotiations remain highly sensitive due to domestic rivalries, Laporta reiterated his deep respect for Atlético’s hierarchy, emphasizing that his club will maintain their firm offer while letting the forward’s clear sporting ambitions drive the deal.