Atlético Madrid’s June 30, 2026 complaint alleges Barcelona made an improper €100 million approach for the striker outside transfer windows, while Atlético says it would only consider sales to Arsenal or PSG.
FC Barcelona is being investigated by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after Atlético Madrid filed a June 30, 2026 complaint alleging improper contact over Julián Álvarez, who is under contract until 2030. Atlético says Barcelona made a reported €100 million approach outside the transfer windows and then contacted the player directly after its offer was rejected, a move the club says may have breached Spanish football rules. Barcelona denies wrongdoing and says it complied with regulations. The dispute sits alongside Atlético’s broader transfer stance on Álvarez. The club is reportedly willing to sell the Argentine striker only to Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain, not to Barcelona, despite the source saying Barcelona is the player’s preferred destination and that he has publicly stated he wants to leave Atlético after the 2026 World Cup. Atlético is said to be seeking roughly €125 million to more than €150 million, after signing him from Manchester City in summer 2024 for an initial £64.4 million, potentially rising to £81.5 million with add-ons. Arsenal is described as making “groundbreaking progress,” while PSG has tracked Álvarez since at least May 2026.