Not Vitinha or Olise, Real Madrid bids €150 million for Alvarez

Real Madrid confirms that their €150 million bid for Julian Alvarez was turned down.

Real Madrid has officially entered the transfer race with Barcelona after announcing that their €150 million ($173 million) offer for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez was rejected.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who was just re-elected for a term extending to 2030, stated last Friday that he would make a €150 million offer for a player this week.

Thus, Real Madrid’s target is neither Vitinha nor Michael Olise, contrary to earlier rumors.

Following a board meeting on Tuesday, the Spanish royal club confirmed that the offer had been submitted to Alvarez, who is also a target for Barcelona.

Atletico immediately responded, declaring that they "will not consider" any offers for Alvarez.

"We inform that, after the board meeting held on Tuesday, the club made a €150 million offer to Atletico Madrid for Alvarez," Real Madrid said in a statement.

"After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Atletico expressed appreciation for the proposal, made within the framework of good relations between the two clubs, and rejected it, citing the player's release clause," Real Madrid announced.

Alvarez, whose contract runs until 2030 with a release clause of €500 million ($577 million), is expected to be the focal point of one of the summer's most protracted blockbuster transfers.

Julian Alvarez scored 20 goals in 49 matches this season. Earlier, ESPN revealed that Barca was targeting the striker as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, after completing a €70 million ($81 million) deal for English winger Anthony Gordon in May.

However, Barca’s interest in Alvarez, reportedly leading to a €100 million ($115 million) offer, sparked outrage from Atletico. Atletico retaliated with a series of mocking social media posts, criticizing the Catalan club for "deliberately leaking information, spreading fake news, and repeatedly showing disrespect."

ESPN also reported that Arsenal and PSG are keen on acquiring the former Manchester City striker.

Atletico’s response to Real Madrid on Tuesday echoed the same tone as their previous reply to Barca.

"You may have confused education with gratitude, but to be clear: We thank you for nothing," Atletico Madrid posted on social media.

"We will not consider or study any offers for Julian. How could we get along with you (Real Madrid), when you make us laugh even more than Barca?" Atletico Madrid wrote on social media.