Real Madrid have seen a 150 million euro offer for Julian Alvarez firmly rejected by city rivals Atletico Madrid in emphatic and humorous fashion.
Real president Florentino Perez had pledged last week to make a 150 million euro offer for a so-called “galactico” player if re-elected to his position.
Having successfully retained control on Sunday, Perez followed through on his promise by submitting the bid for the 26-year-old Argentina forward.
Atletico were having none of it, pointing to Alvarez’s release clause of 500 million euros, equivalent to approximately £430 million.
In a formal statement, Real said: “Following the meeting of the board of directors held today, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atletico de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julian Alvarez.”
The statement continued: “Club Atletico de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal, made within the framework of the good relations between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player’s release clause.”
Atletico’s response on social media was swift and cutting, quoting the Real Madrid statement on X alongside a series of laughing emojis.
In a follow-up post, Atletico went further, stating: “You must have confused education with gratitude, but to leave no doubt: we don’t thank you for anything. We neither study nor consider any offer for Julian. How could we not get along, when you make us laugh even more than Barcelona does.”
A third post from Atletico took a sharper tone, reading: “P.S. Taking advantage of the good relationship with your new president, let’s see if you stop ‘stealing’ players from our Academy. Thanks a lot, @realmadrid!”
Alvarez, a former Manchester City player who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, joined Atletico in an £81.5 million deal in 2024 and has quickly established himself as a key figure at the club.
He scored 20 goals in 49 appearances last season as Atletico finished fourth in La Liga and reached the Champions League semi-finals, underlining his importance to Diego Simeone’s side.
The gap between Real’s offer and Alvarez’s release clause is enormous, making any realistic transfer this summer appear virtually impossible given Atletico’s uncompromising stance.
Separately, Real also confirmed that head coach Alvaro Arbeloa will leave the club following a trophyless campaign that ended any possibility of him continuing in the role.
Arbeloa had been promoted from leading Real Madrid B in January, replacing former Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso, but confirmed before the season’s end that he would not be staying on.
A Real statement read: “Real Madrid is deeply grateful to Alvaro Arbeloa, who throughout his time at the club, from his time in our youth academy, has consistently demonstrated loyalty, commitment, and professionalism.”
Jose Mourinho, who previously managed Real from 2010 to 2013, signed a three-year deal in May contingent on Perez winning re-election, and will now take charge at the Bernabeu.
