'Never ask a liar why he lied': Alvarez agent brands Atletico as saga turns increasingly ugly

The simmering feud at the heart of Julian Alvarez's future has exploded into open warfare, with the Argentina striker's agent firing a cryptic but scathing social media broadside at Atletico Madrid just hours after the club's CEO insisted the forward is going nowhere.

Atletico chief executive Gil Marin moved to end months of speculation on Friday, telling EFE: "I have no doubt that Atlético is the right place in the world for Julián, and Julián is the perfect striker for Atlético Madrid. We want to keep him."

His words, though, have clearly not landed well with Fernando Hidalgo, the player's representative. Hidalgo responded with a withering Instagram post that read: "Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain it. He'd have to lie again."

The exchange marks an explosive new turn in a saga that has dominated Spanish football's summer. Barcelona have been linked with Alvarez all window, with the 26-year-old reportedly admitting during the World Cup that he wanted a way out of the Spanish capital. Atletico have repeatedly insisted he is not for sale — yet reports have claimed Alvarez was privately told he could move on this summer if a strong offer arrived.

Arsenal keep being told 'no'

As the door at the Metropolitano appeared to slam shut, word emerged that the club's brass had in fact reluctantly opened to negotiations over a transfer — but with one major caveat: no talks would be permitted with Barcelona. Instead, aware of Alvarez's growing unhappiness, Atletico were tipped to entertain offers from Premier League champions Arsenal.

Any hopes among Gunners supporters have, however, been quickly dashed. According to Barcelona insider Víctor Navarro, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been chasing Alvarez for some time — and has been rejected at every turn.

"Mikel Arteta has been calling Julián for a long time, and he has always told him NO, that he ONLY wants to go to Barça." — Víctor Navarro

Navarro added a further, significant detail: "Barça sounded things out again this week to see if anything could change before the market closes, and they were told the same thing: it's a personal matter for Gil Marín, and he will NOT let him go to Barcelona."

A recent report from Mundo Deportivo likewise claimed Atletico would be willing to sell Alvarez to Arsenal, but that the forward is only thinking about a move to Catalonia. With the transfer window winding down and the relationship between player, agent and club seemingly deteriorating by the day, it remains unclear what happens next — though the tone of the agent's message suggests this long-running drama is far from reaching a peaceful conclusion.