Real Madrid have failed with a 150 million euro bid, worth around £130 million, for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. The offer came shortly after Florentino Perez retained his role as Real president and followed through on a campaign promise to move for a major “galactico” signing.
Perez had said last week that he would make a 150 million euro proposal for an unnamed star player if he won re-election. After securing another term on Sunday, he made the offer for Alvarez, but Atletico refused to negotiate and pointed to the player’s 500 million euro release clause, worth around £430 million.
Real confirmed the bid in a club statement, saying their board had made an offer for the federative rights of the Argentina international. The statement added that Atletico reviewed the proposal, thanked Real for the approach made within the good relationship between the clubs, and rejected it by referring to the release clause.
Atletico respond sharply after Real Madrid approach
Atletico’s public reaction was far from friendly. The club shared Real Madrid’s statement on X with laughing emojis, then followed it with a much sharper message. Atletico said Real had confused politeness with gratitude and made clear they did not thank them for the offer.
They also stated that they would not study or consider any proposal for Alvarez. In the same post, Atletico mocked Real by saying relations between the clubs were good because Madrid made them laugh even more than Barcelona.
Atletico then added another message aimed at Real’s recruitment from their youth system. The club asked Real, taking advantage of their good relationship with the “new president”, to stop taking players from Atletico’s academy. The tone made clear that Atletico viewed the Alvarez bid as unrealistic and had no intention of opening talks.
Alvarez remains central to Atletico plans
Alvarez joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024 in a deal worth £81.5 million. The Argentina forward, who won the 2022 World Cup with his country, quickly became an important part of the team.
Last season, he scored 20 goals in 49 appearances as Atletico finished fourth in La Liga and reached the Champions League semi-finals. His form and status inside the squad explain Atletico’s firm stance, especially with a release clause set far above Real’s offer.
For Real Madrid, the failed move still shows Perez’s ambition to land another high profile attacking player. But Atletico’s response suggests any deal for Alvarez would require a far bigger push, and possibly a figure much closer to the release clause.
Arbeloa departure confirmed as Mourinho return moves closer
Real Madrid have also confirmed that head coach Alvaro Arbeloa will leave the club. The news had been expected, with Jose Mourinho set to replace him.
Arbeloa was promoted from Real Madrid B in January after Xabi Alonso left the post. He had already said before the end of the season that he would not continue after a campaign without a trophy.
Bringing Mourinho back was one of Perez’s key election promises. The Portuguese coach, who previously managed Real between 2010 and 2013, agreed a three year deal in May, with the move dependent on Perez winning another term.
Real thanked Arbeloa in an official statement, praising his loyalty, commitment and professionalism from his academy days through to his spell as first team coach. The club added that Real Madrid would always be his home and wished him and his family well for the next stage of their lives.
