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Atletico Rejects Real Madrid’s $173.2M Alvarez Bid

9/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Atletico Madrid kept Julian Alvarez despite his desire to join Barcelona.
Atletico rejected Real Madrid’s $173.2 million (€150 million) offer for the 26-year-old.
Diego Simeone said Julian Alvarez is “one of the best players” and that he will build a team around him.
José Mourinho said he cannot see Julian Alvarez playing for Real Madrid before Jan 1 if the player remains unhappy.

History

Historical Context

July 2000 saw Luis Figo leave Barcelona for Real Madrid for a world-record €62 million fee, a move that ignited hostile chants from 98,000 Camp Nou fans and signaled Florentino Pérez’s new Galáctico policy after he became president. The transfer launched a period of high-cost signings, including Zinedine Zidane in 2001, that reshaped Spanish football’s financial and competitive landscape.

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Story summary

Atletico Madrid kept Julian Alvarez despite his desire to join Barcelona.
Atletico rejected Real Madrid’s $173.2 million (€150 million) offer for the 26-year-old.
Diego Simeone said Julian Alvarez is “one of the best players” and that he will build a team around him.
José Mourinho said he cannot see Julian Alvarez playing for Real Madrid before Jan 1 if the player remains unhappy.

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