Atlético Madrid have delivered a blunt rebuke to FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, insisting there is a zero percent chance the club will sell Julián Álvarez to their La Liga rivals.

Laporta had publicly declared Barcelona's interest in Álvarez, saying the club hoped its offer would be accepted while maintaining that it respected Atlético throughout the process. Atlético's response, delivered through MARCA, was unambiguous.

"The player is being victimized, but the only victim of the Julian case is us," the club said in a statement. "They have harmed us economically and socially. There is 0% chance of selling him to Barca. This situation is not about money, it's about dignity."

The statement continued: "There's a campaign with many lies and half-truths. The only one who pays for this is Atletico."

Álvarez reportedly wants to leave

Álvarez has communicated to Atlético that he wishes to depart the club, with Barcelona understood to be his preferred destination. Despite that reported desire, Atlético have made their position clear — the Argentine forward is not for sale to Barcelona at any price, and the club frames the entire saga as a coordinated media campaign designed to force their hand.

Atlético describe themselves, not Álvarez, as the true victim of the controversy, arguing that the pressure campaign has caused the club real economic and reputational damage.

Arsenal watching the situation

Barcelona are not the only club monitoring Álvarez's situation. Arsenal are understood to be interested in the 25-year-old and are prepared to make a move should he signal a willingness to consider a switch to the Premier League ahead of the transfer deadline.