Real Madrid bids 150 million euros for Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez

Real Madrid said on Tuesday that Atlético Madrid had rejected the club's offer of 150 million euros (US$173 million) for Argentine forward Julián Álvarez.

"After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atlético de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal .. and has rejected it, referring to the player's release clause," Real Madrid said in a statement.

A World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022 and formerly of Manchester City, the 26-year-old Alvarez joined Atlético in 2024. He is under contract until June 2030, with a release clause estimated at 500 million euros.

Included in Argentina's squad for the 2026 World Cup, Álvarez scored eight goals last season in La Liga and 10 in the Champions League, where Atlético were eliminated in the semi-finals by Arsenal.

"After studying and evaluating it, Atlético de Madrid thanked the club for the offer made, in keeping with the good relations between our two clubs, but rejected it," Real Madrid said in a statement.

Re-elected on Sunday as president of the club, Florentino Pérez had promised during his election campaign that he would make a big-name signing.

Spanish media had reported that the target was Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise. But the German club said they would not be selling their French international.

"If Florentino Pérez wants to send us an offer, which has not happened so far, he can save himself the trouble," said Bayern president Herbert Hainer.

– TIMES/AFP