Atletico Madrid chief reiterates they will 'never, ever' let Julian Alvarez join Barcelona

[p]Gil Marin delivered a blistering response after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a]'s president said a day earlier that ‌the club remained "very interested" in signing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alvarez-julian/bBHauDIC/"]Alvarez[/a], who [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Atletico[/a] insist is ‌not for sale to their LaLiga rivals.[/p][p]Speaking to Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus after ‌Thursday's Champions League league phase draw, Gil Marin said Atletico were ‌united from top to bottom in refusing to negotiate with Barcelona.[/p][embed guid="6fe9eed1-667c-4d1c-8453-03ff4464c8d9" url="https://x.com/Atleti/status/2093036442775699495" social-type="twitter" /][p]"[b]The truth is that it outrages us even more; we are repulsed by the dishonesty, the lack ‌of ethics, transparency and professionalism, and we can ⁠only insist that we will not ‌negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances[/b]," Gil Marin said.[/p][p]"[b]I have the support of ​everyone working with me, from shareholders to directors, and the only certain and firm decision is that we will not ​negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances; you have my word – which is one of the few things I have – the player will most certainly ⁠not be transferred to ​Barcelona[/b]."[/p][p]Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste reacted angrily to Gil Marin's remarks.[/p][p]"[b]It is a lack of manners and respect[/b]," Yuste told Movistar. "[b]With those words, they've crossed a red line[/b]."[/p][p]Earlier on Thursday, Atletico's board of directors unanimously backed the club's ‌stance on Alvarez, ruling out talks with Barcelona and saying there was "zero consideration" of a transfer to the Catalan club.[/p][p]Gil Marin said the situation had affected Alvarez, describing the forward as confused and under pressure.[/p][embed guid="6eea1ada-f0ec-4648-85bb-065d860b2074" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2093029624011788665" social-type="twitter" /][p]"[b]Julian is really struggling; there have been people who have set out to deceive and confuse him, and I'm very sorry about that[/b]," Gil Marin said.[/p][p]"[b]I know him and we've been working with him for some time; he's a great professional and footballer, but he's very confused and ‌going through a very difficult time, both personally and professionally[/b]."[/p][p]Asked whether Atletico ​would consider selling Alvarez to another club, Gil Marin said his ‌preference was for the player to remain in Madrid.[/p][p]"[b]Our intention and my personal dream is for him to stay with us, to remain at Atletico[/b]," he said. "[b]To compete amongst the greats, you need great players, and Julian is one[/b].[/p][p]"[b]If he believes that staying ⁠at Atletico Madrid is no longer ⁠feasible, we will look for ‌an alternative, but it will never, ever be Barcelona[/b]."[/p]