Enrique Cerezo talks about Julián Álvarez and Barça: 'both sides are interested'

For weeks now, people have been speaking insistently about the possible transfer of Julián Álvarez to Barça. The fact that Atlético de Madrid is far from competing for the most important titles has lit the fuse in the market. Lewandowski's situation, with his contract ending in the summer, has ended up feeding rumors that keep growing.

The Polish player, who is already 37 years old, won't renew with Barça and will leave a huge void at the tip of the culé attack. It is a position that is too important to improvise, and at Camp Nou they are looking for a goalscorer who can have an immediate impact. That's why many voices suggest that Julián Álvarez's and Barça's paths are destined to cross.

First figures of Julián Álvarez's transfer

Many media outlets have already even published specific figures for a possible deal. People say that negotiations between clubs could start at €150 million, an amount that places Julián Álvarez in the range of the most expensive signings on the European continent. The logic is simple: he is young, he is elite, and he fits Barça's style because of his mobility and his ability to link up with teammates.

However, the real situation is much less open than some have claimed. Atlético considers him a strategic piece of the project, and his long contract reinforces that stance. That is where Enrique Cerezo comes in, since he has wanted to put an immediate stop to any self-serving interpretation.

Enrique Cerezo breaks his silence on Julián Álvarez and Barça

The president of Atlético de Madrid hasn't held his tongue when speaking about Barça and Julián Álvarez. "Julián is a player who has a long contract with Atlético de Madrid and I really believe that it is in both parties' interest for him to stay," he began by saying.

But Enrique Cerezo hasn't stopped there. "We haven't had any conversation, either formal or informal, with Barcelona or with any other club. What we want is for Julián Álvarez to stay with us, because he is a truly great player."

With this response, Enrique Cerezo acknowledges the rumors but denies any negotiations between Barça and Atleti for Julián Álvarez. At the Metropolitano they want to shield the Argentine and put an end to the narrative of his departure before it becomes a bigger issue.