With FC Barcelona's presidential elections just weeks away, it is common for candidates to suggest big-name signings to gain support.
Recently, high-profile players like Harry Kane and Julian Alvarez have been mentioned as potential marquee signings to excite voters and strengthen sporting projects during the campaign.
Alvarez, in particular, is being discussed as Barcelona’s main target to replace Robert Lewandowski in the summer.
There have even been suggestions of direct contact between Barcelona officials and representatives of the Atletico Madrid star.
However, Atletico Madrid sporting director Mateu Alemany has moved to shut down the rumors linking Alvarez to Barcelona.
Speaking to the media ahead of Atletico’s UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, he made it clear that there was no contact with anyone from Barcelona regarding the Argentine forward.
“Interest in many players exists, but we have to live with that,” he said, as quoted by SPORT.
“Julian is an Atletico player. Atletico have very good players and many clubs are interested in them, but we haven’t spoken to anyone, neither pre-candidates nor candidates, not from Barcelona, not from anyone.”
Alvarez’s current season has not matched his debut exploits in Spain. However, he continues to generate overall consensus at Barcelona as the ideal candidate to replace Lewandowski.
Any move for the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will be very hard to pull off. Atletico have him secured on a long-term contract until 2030 and have no intention of selling unless there is an enormous offer of around €200 million.
