The derby in the Spanish capital transcended the limits of the field and moved to social networks. Real Madrid officially announced an offer of 150 million euros for the Argentine striker Julián Álvarez, from Atlético de Madrid, and the red and white club not only rejected it, but did so with the ironic tone that characterizes it on its digital platforms.
According to the statement released this Tuesday, June 9, by the white club, after a meeting of its Board of Directors, the proposal was presented to Atlético.
The Merengue text indicated that the red and white club “appreciated” the offer – made “within the framework of good relations” between both institutions – and rejected it, referring to the player’s termination clause, set at 500 million euros.
Atlético’s response was immediate. Through its official account on laugh even more than FC Barcelona.”
And he finished with a postscript: “Taking advantage of the good relationship with your new president, let’s see if you stop ‘stealing’ players from our Academy. Thank you very much!” In addition, he tagged the official Real Madrid account.
Historical record at stake
This offer is part of the strategy of Florentino Pérez, re-elected president of Real Madrid, who on Monday, June 8, announced in an interview with the program Horizonfrom Cuatro, who the next day would present “an important offer to a Champions League club for a great player that would be the largest amount of money that Real Madrid would pay for a transfer in its entire history. It would be around 150 million euros.”
This is a figure that would exceed the club’s current record, the 127 million euros paid by Jude Bellingham in 2023. Although Pérez expressly ruled out Michael Olise, the name of Julián Álvarez emerged as one of the main alternatives in various media. The Argentine striker, 26 years old and world champion with his national team, is considered a key piece by Atlético, who until now have not expressed any intention to negotiate his departure.
It is not the first time: the Atlético style in networks
It is not an isolated case. Atlético de Madrid has turned its ironic responses on social networks into a distinctive brand, especially when it comes to statements or statements related to Real Madrid.
In February 2025, after a statement from the white club in which it criticized the refereeing of a match against Espanyol, Atlético responded sarcastically by asking the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) for help to understand verbs such as “pressure”, “intimidate” and “intimidate”, and added: “Oops, we should have asked for it by DM anyway.” The publication generated thousands of reactions and further fueled the rivalry between both clubs.
The Julián Álvarez case
Julián Álvarez has been one of the most mentioned names in the transfer market, with rumors that also link him to Barcelona. Real Madrid’s public offer – unusual in elite football – has been interpreted as a move designed to generate expectations among the fans after the re-election of Florentino Pérez.
Atlético maintains a firm position: Álvarez is not for sale below his termination clause, much less to the eternal rival.
Reaction on social networks
The exchange generated thousands of interactions in a few hours. While the red and white fans celebrated the club’s institutional response, Madrid fans questioned the public exposure of a negotiation that, according to various analysts, had little chance of prospering due to the historical rivalry between both entities.
The transfer market is just beginning and Julián Álvarez continues to be the center of attention. For now, the Argentine striker remains at Atlético de Madrid and the derby remains more alive than ever.