Spanish → English transcript

How should I view the situation between Julián Álvarez and Atlético de Madrid?

Right now, I'm at the World Cup, I'm in Kansas City, where the Argentine national team is, and we're going to talk about that now.

But it's good to clarify, according to the information we have, how the Julián Álvarez case stands.

The first thing I have to say is that, based on the information I have and how I see the situation, it's going to be a very long and complex negotiation.

It won't be an easy negotiation to resolve, above all because of the rigidity of the stances.

Especially Atlético de Madrid's on one hand, Julián Álvarez's on the other, and that of the potential buying clubs, which are Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

I take responsibility for what I say, and I say it with total certainty of what I feel and know, because if not, I wouldn't say it.

And I see it as very difficult, almost impossible, very difficult, for Julián Álvarez to keep playing for Atlético de Madrid next season.

I see it as very difficult. And you'll ask me why, since he is an Atlético player.

Well, because I see where both sides stand.

There are two clubs here that have already made offers for Julián, and both offers were rejected.

One is Barcelona and the other is Paris Saint-Germain.

In Julián's circle, the possibility of Barcelona surely has priority, even if they make smaller offers than Paris Saint-Germain.

And on the other side is the rigid stance of Atlético de Madrid, which seems fair on their part to defend their assets,

saying they don't plan to sell him for less than a figure close to, well, 150 million euros, or that they don't want to make that trade.

And this is a negotiation, and each side defends its position.

Now, is it going to be complex because of this? Yes, but it doesn't mean it won't be resolved.

I think Atlético is going to defend its position as much as possible to get the most money possible.

But Atleti knows very well internally, regardless of whether the statements, tweets, or reports might say otherwise,

it's a strategy to defend their position, and that's fine too.

I think they already know internally that it's very unlikely Julián will keep playing for Atleti next season.

And I stand by what I say. Today, May 31st, the last day of May, I see that there's still a long way to go before this is resolved,

maybe this issue lasts all through the break or the entire World Cup, I find it hard to see Julián playing for Atlético de Madrid again next season.

And I stand by it, they're going to clip it, upload it, you'll see that I think in the end of this whole story we're going to be right,

because I'm sure of what I'm saying, and I wouldn't say it without checking it beforehand.

But anyway, it's not something that's going to be resolved now in the short term.

This is going to be resolved much later, because their positions are rigid.

But these are the two clubs that want him. And if it's not Barcelona, well, Paris Saint-Germain will keep pushing and it could be PSG.

I think Barcelona has a better chance, but they have to make a stronger offer.

Classic Gastón, but 100 million, don't you think that's a lot of force?

Yes, however, a player like Julián, in Julián's current form, and with the club holding his rights being so rigid,

and with so little willingness to sell him, I think the outlay will have to be larger.

But no, that's not why it won't happen. That's what I think.

I think Atleti is defending its assets, but they know very well internally that Julián won't play for Atleti next season.

That's the information we have, on one hand.