Real Madrid announced they have had a £129million (€150m) bid for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez rejected.
Florentino Perez promised that the LaLiga giants would attempt to sign a €150m player if he was re-elected and they have now publicly confirmed their intentions to sign Alvarez from their rivals after Perez won the vote.
Despite the huge bid, however, Real said the bid for the Argentina forward has been rebuffed in a public statement.
The statement said: “Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the meeting of the Board of Directors held today, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atletico de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julian Alvarez.
“After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atletico de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal, made within the framework of the good relations between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player’s release clause.”
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Perez’s Galactico promise to Real Madrid
Prior to his re-election as Real president, Perez pledged that the club would make an immediate €150m for a ‘galactico’ player if he remained in charge.
Speaking to Spanish TV station Horizonte, the 79-year-old said: “On Tuesday or so, I’m going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player. It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history.
“Olise is a great player but it’s not Olise. It’s not [Jeremy] Doku either.
“We’re going to make a significant offer, at least around €150m. He needs to be a player from midfield who can go forward. And it’s not Haaland.
“The player is not from the Premier League. And the first thing we’ll do is talk to the club. It’s a signing meant to generate excitement because that’s what it’s all about, generating excitement.”
Atleti hit back after Real and Barca bids
In response to both Barcelona and Real Madrid’s very public interest in Alvarez, Atletico have been quick to mock their LaLiga rivals with a series of tongue-in-cheek posts on social media.
An Atletico post on X on Tuesday night said: “Official statement with our clarifications regarding the official statement from our neighbours Real Madrid.
“1. They cut out the part of the Pope’s video where he said he was an Atleti fan too.
“2. You must have confused education with gratitude, but to leave no doubt: we don’t thank you for anything.
“3. We neither study nor consider any offer for Julian.
“4. How could we not get along, when you make us laugh even more than Barcelona does.”
It comes after Atletico jokingly posted a transfer offer for Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal following reports of their bid last week.
The club claimed they had sent a proposal consisting of four tickets to a Bad Bunny concert, an annual newspaper subscription and a bag of sunflower seeds in exchange for the Spain international.
The post was accompanied by a mock transfer announcement and formed part of a string of satirical messages aimed at Barcelona.
Alvaro Arbeloa: Real confirm departure
Real also made a statement on Tuesday evening to confirm Alvaro Arbeloa’s official departure as head coach, with Jose Mourinho expected to return to the club as his replacement.
A statement said: “Real Madrid C. F. and Álvaro Arbeloa have reached an agreement to end his tenure as the first-team coach.
“Real Madrid is deeply grateful to Álvaro Arbeloa, who throughout his career at the club, from the time he joined our academy, has always demonstrated loyalty, commitment, and professionalism. His persona is a true example of the values of our club.
“Real Madrid, which will always be his home, wishes Alvaro Arbeloa and his entire family the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.”
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