Raphinha questions Atlético Madrid’s decision to block Julián Alvarez move to Barcelona

Raphinha criticises Atlético’s stance on Julián Alvarez

Barcelona captain Raphinha has questioned Atlético Madrid’s decision to keep Julián Alvarez after the Argentine expressed a desire to leave during the summer transfer window.

Barcelona were among the clubs interested in signing Julián Alvarez, who was reportedly seeking a new challenge. Atlético, however, repeatedly made clear that they had no intention of authorising his departure, despite the player’s publicly stated wish to move on.

Raphinha said Atlético were entitled to value a player of Alvarez’s quality, but believed the club had taken its position too far.

“Honestly, I don’t understand Atlético’s position with Julián. If you’re not comfortable somewhere, it’s very hard for things to go well with you; it’s very hard to be at peace so you can work,” Raphinha said in an interview with RAC1.

“He made it clear, on multiple occasions, that he wants to leave and join us. I don’t understand,” he added. “I understand that they don’t want a player of his calibre to leave, but they’ve taken it a bit further than normal.”

The comments underline the frustration in Barcelona’s camp after the club failed to turn its interest in the Argentina international into a transfer.