Atlético Madrid has shut down what it describes as an informal approach from Real Madrid regarding Argentine striker Julián Álvarez, with the speculated transfer fee reportedly sitting around €150 million. The club didn’t just say no. They said no loudly, publicly, and with the kind of pettiness that only a crosstown rivalry can produce.
The inquiry, which surfaced over June 8-9, 2026, prompted Atlético to take to social media to mock their neighbors across the city. They also leveled a pointed accusation: that Real Madrid has a pattern of stealing players from their academy.
What actually happened
There was apparently no formal offer. Atlético Madrid explicitly denied receiving one, and Álvarez’s agent confirmed on June 8 that no contact regarding a transfer had been made. What seems to have occurred was something closer to a feeler, an informal inquiry from Real Madrid’s side to gauge whether a deal might be possible.
Atlético confirmed they are not considering offers for Álvarez under any circumstances. The player signed with the club in August 2024 after transferring from Manchester City for approximately £82 million, and his contract runs through at least 2030.
