Alvarez Puts FC Barcelona On Alert With Message To Atletico Madrid

BusinessSportsMoneyAlvarez Puts FC Barcelona On Alert With Message To Atletico MadridByTom Sanderson,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Sanderson has been primarily based in Barcelona since 2019.Follow AuthorMay 26, 2026, 01:29pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Julian Alvarez is reportedly refusing to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid.Getty ImagesFC Barcelona target Julian Alvarez has effectively opened the door to a potential exit this summer by refusing to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid according to MARCA and various other outlets in Spain.Alvarez joined the Rojiblancos from Manchester City in 2024, and penned a contract until 2030 when switching between the Premier League to La Liga.After an impressive breakout season, though, followed up by a worthy sophomore effort in 2025/2026, Alvarez has caught the eye of Spanish champions Barca and their recently-crowned English counterparts Arsenal.Aware of this, Atleti are currently attempting to tie Alvarez down further past 2030. It wants to make him the highest paid player in the squad on $11.6 million (€10 million) a year, alongside veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak.Until now, however, Alvarez hasn’t responded to that proposal which is being taken as a sign of his intentions.According to MARCA, ex-Barca director of football Mateu Alemany, who now holds that function at the Metropolitano, is aware that the World Cup winner “aspires to a better project than the one he understands can be offered at Atletico”.He may find it at Barca, who have won five out of the six Spanish trophies on offer last summer. It’s also worth nothing that it was Diego Simeone’s men which knocked the Catalans out of the Copa del Rey and Champions League this term, though, at the semifinal and quarterfinal stages respectively. MORE FOR YOUAt Barca, however, Alvarez would be guaranteed to c...