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

It is no secret that FC Barcelona have their sights set on Atletico Madrid and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez for the summer.

With Robert Lewandowski on his way out at the end of the season, when his contract expires, the Blaugrana are in the market for a new No. 9, and the 25-year-old Argentine happens to be their primary target.

Signing Alvarez, though, will be anything but easy, considering he is contracted with Atletico Madrid until 2030, who have no intentions of parting ways with the attacker.

Enrique Cerezo clear on Julian Alvarez’s future

Indeed, speaking to the media ahead of their Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Barcelona tonight, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo made it clear that Alvarez will not be allowed to leave in the summer.

“He is an Atletico Madrid player, like Antoine Griezmann, and he has a contract with us,” he stated firmly.

“He is worth a lot, and he is not for sale,” the Atletico Madrid chief insisted.

Cerezo also spoke about the game tonight, appearing calm considering that Atletico Madrid have a huge advantage from the first leg, having beaten Barça 4-0 at home.

“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 stated.

The Atletico Madrid president further insisted that “all matches are long” and that his side would approach the game with a competitive mindset.

“What we have to do is go out to win, and we will do so, go out to win the match. Another thing is whether we win,” he clarified.

When asked about the talent at Barcelona and Lamine Yamal in particular, he responded with a laugh:

“Barça has Lamine? We have Julian, Tomford, Smith, and many more,” making up the last couple of names on the spot and eliciting smiles from those present.