Barcelona hit with RFEF, FIFA notice after Atlético harassment claim

While Julián Álvarez and Atlético Madrid sort out his future, the club announced it has ended all negotiations with Barcelona after filing a harassment complaint, alleging the Catalans negotiated directly with the Argentine despite his contract running until June 2030. Barcelona was subsequently notified by the RFEF and FIFA of the complaint and confirmed it will appeal the decision.

The “Culé” side received the notice from both the Real Federación Española de Fútbol and FIFA, and the club said it will contest the allegations. In contrast, the “Azulgrana” club believes the complaint will not succeed and points to statements from the “Araña” and the player’s expressed wish to move to Barça.

“Lo mejor para todos es una transferencia. Quiero cumplir mi sueño,” Álvarez said at the World Cup after Argentina’s 2‑0 win over Austria. The former River player added that he tried to handle the matter with honesty, saying, “No puedo esconderme ni actuar como si no pasara nada. Trato de ser honesto.”

Atlético Madrid maintains that the ex‑Manchester City forward was influenced by Barcelona to request an exit, adding another reason for the club’s complaint. The Catalans reportedly offered US$100 million to Atlético for Álvarez, but the club’s CEO, who signed the complaint, said before the Spain final that Julián “no se va ni por 100, ni 150 ni 200”. He also described the player as “mal asesorado”.

Barcelona under RFEF probe over Julián Álvarez’ case

The world champion and runner‑up continue their holidays and are scheduled to join pre‑season training on 10 August, though it remains unclear whether Álvarez will stay at Atlético or move elsewhere. Atlético has stated that if the striker leaves, it will be to a club outside LaLiga.

Arsenal entered the fray, saying it is ready to pay a fortune and include one of its own players to secure Álvarez. The English club’s proposal pairs a cash sum with the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres, a 28‑year‑old Swedish striker valued at €65 million, plus additional undisclosed money. Gyokeres scored 21 goals last season in England and averaged over 40 goals in his two previous campaigns with Sporting Lisboa.

UEFA's boycott threat rattles FIFA and puts the World Cup at risk

Atlético Madrid remains intransigent, rejecting a €150 million offer reportedly made by Real Madrid and dismissing all negotiations with Barcelona. The club reiterated that Álvarez is declared untransferable, reiterating the “mal asesorado” comment as the rationale for its stance.

A direct call from Barcelona’s president to Álvarez after the World Cup final urged the striker to keep pressing for a move, but Atlético responded with a concrete ultimatum, reinforcing its firm position on the matter.