'0% chance' - Atletico hit back at Barca over Alvarez transfer row

Atletico Madrid insist there is "0% chance" of selling Julian Alvarez to Barcelona after club president Joan Laporta said they remain interested in signing the forward.

Alvarez has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer, and after being booed by Atletico supporters on Sunday during their draw with Villarreal, the 26-year-old missed training on Wednesday.

Reports say Alvarez was unwell, and Atletico have now condemned Laporta's latest video, published on Wednesday, which said Barcelona's 100m euros (£85.7m) offer remained on the table.

"This is not about money, it's about dignity. The player is being victimised, but the only victim in the Julian case is us," Atletico said.

"They have harmed us economically and socially. There is 0% chance of selling him to Barca.

"There is a campaign of many lies and half-truths. The only one paying for this is Atletico."

In the video, Laporta said the club had great respect for Atletico but the bid they lodged earlier this summer was still on offer.

Sources at Barcelona say they will keep trying to sign Alvarez, who joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024, until the transfer window ends.