Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club submitted a formal transfer offer for Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, while making clear the proposal carries a deadline and will not remain on the table indefinitely.

Speaking to Diario AS, Laporta revealed that sporting director Deco delivered the institutional bid — reported to be worth €100 million — directly to Atlético Madrid. The Argentine international has made no secret of his desire to move to the Catalan club.

Atlético hold firm

Atlético Madrid's position, however, remains unchanged: Álvarez is not for sale. The Madrid club went as far as filing a complaint with FIFA, accusing Barcelona of making improper contact with a player still contracted until 2030.

Laporta acknowledged the personal relationship between the two clubs' hierarchies but was equally direct about Barcelona's limits. "We made an offer to Atletico, we spoke with them, they know the situation. The player wants to come to Barcelona. I have the utmost respect for Cerezo and Gil Marín, with whom I've spoken, and they told me they aren't selling Julian because they have no replacement," he said.

A firm offer with conditions

Laporta was equally blunt about the boundaries of Barcelona's patience. "They know our offer and it's firm. We're not at Atletico's mercy, we have a good relationship with them. If they want to consider the offer at some point, we'd be happy to sit down. If they have an alternative, which I hope they do, we can talk. But, our offer isn't open-ended," he added.

The situation is further complicated by Barcelona's financial constraints. Álvarez's release clause is reported to be enormous, and the Catalan club are not in a position to meet it. Despite interest from other clubs, Álvarez has made Barcelona his preferred destination — yet while he sits under contract in the Spanish capital through 2030, Atlético Madrid hold all the leverage.