Los Rojiblancos made it clear time and time again Alvarez is not up for sale, despite the player\u2019s own pleas for a transfer. Barcelona continued to court the 26-year-old even when Atl\u00e9tico made a mockery of their efforts on social media<\/a> with viral fake transfer announcements.<\/p>\n Atl\u00e9tico then went on to issue a formal complaint to the RFEF on June 30. Now, one month later, The Athletic<\/a> report Barcelona are under investigation for the \u201cimproper\u201d pursuit of Alvarez. <\/p>\n Why RFEF Opened a Formal Case Against Barcelona Hansi Flick now has another outside distraction to deal with at Barcelona. | Alberto Gardin\/NurPhoto\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Atl\u00e9tico Madrid allege Barcelona<\/a> initiated contact with Alvarez, who is under contract until 2030, outside the permitted transfer window to try and sign the striker. Los Rojiblancos claim there was a \u201cbreach of ethics\u201d by the Catalans. <\/p>\n Atl\u00e9tico CEO Miguel \u00c1ngel Gil Mar\u00edn said as much back in June, when he lashed out against the defending Spanish champions and threatened legal action, which has now come to fruition. <\/p>\n \u201cBar\u00e7a are disrespecting us,” Gil Mar\u00edn told EFE, via ESPN<\/a>. \u201cThey think they can walk all over us and that we are weak and stupid, but in reality, they are showing the world a way of acting which defines them.<\/p>\n \u201cThey lie to us, to the player, to the media … they even lie to their own supporters. They try to make everyone believe they can do a deal that in reality they are not capable of doing,<\/p>\n \u201cOur responsibility is to defend the interests of Atl\u00e9tico Madrid. That is why we are going to lodge a complaint with FIFA against Bar\u00e7a for negotiating with a player under contract during the protected period.\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s Next For Barcelona, Alvarez? Juli\u00e1n Alvarez has made his desire to leave Atl\u00e9tico Madrid public knowledge. | Fran Santiago\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Barcelona are expected to appeal the complaint from Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, though MARCA<\/a> report they do not want the \u201coperation to go on indefinitely.\u201d<\/p>\n After all, the Catalans already welcomed wingers Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi this summer to try and replace some of the goalscoring load Lewandowski carried. The new additions will also give Flick some much-needed depth after Marcus Rashford returned to Old Trafford. <\/p>\n Of course, the club would love to cap off the summer transfer<\/a> window with Alvarez, but relations with Atl\u00e9tico have now turned even more sour, further decreasing the likelihood of a deal. Diego Simeone seemingly has no intention of parting ways with his superstar forward. <\/p>\n Atl\u00e9tico even rejected a rather disingenuous \u20ac150 million ($171.4 million) bid <\/a>from Real Madrid for Alvarez, who has scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for the Spanish giants since his arrival from Manchester City ahead of the 2024\u201325 season. <\/p>\n All eyes will be on Alvarez come Aug. 10, when he is expected to join up with Atl\u00e9tico after his summer break following the 2026 World Cup<\/a>. The 26-year-old only found the back of the net once in the tournament and settled for a runner-up medal with Argentina. <\/p>\n![\"Hansi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01krcf064w0wwxzwrf87.jpg\" "\\"Hansi")
<\/p>\n![\"Juli\u00e1n](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kych8nsm7mtvxehr64.jpg\" "\\"Juli\u00e1n")
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