Deco clarifies Barcelona’s failed pursuit of striker Julian Alvarez

Barcelona sporting director Deco addressed the club’s summer transfer attempts to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. Despite Barcelona offering a bid valued at approximately €100 million with a payment structure spread across three seasons, Atletico Madrid maintained that the player was not for sale. During an interview with RAC1, Deco denied allegations that Barcelona instructed Alvarez to publicly express a desire to leave his club. The sporting director stated that Barcelona pursued the player formally and respectfully, refuting claims of illicit contact. Following the unsuccessful bid, Barcelona signed Gabriel to bolster their attack. Deco indicated he has no personal friction with his counterpart at Atletico Madrid, Mateu Alemany, despite the high-profile nature of the negotiations.

• 10:15 AMYahoo Sports — Deco sets the record straight on Julian Alvarez pursuit: ‘Barcelona did not tell him to publicly express his desire to leave’