Atlético CEO on Álvarez: He hasn't been well-advised recently; we won't let other clubs dictate to us or show disrespect

Atlético Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has issued a striking statement regarding the situation surrounding star player Julián Álvarez. The Argentine is reportedly keen to leave the "Rojiblancos" for Barcelona, but the club from the Metropolitano is adamantly refusing to let him join the Catalan giants.

Gil stated: “We will support Julián and continue to look after him so he can give us everything he’s capable of, because we need him to keep competing with Europe’s biggest clubs. We must understand that in recent months, Julián has not been surrounded by the best advisors regarding his professional career,” he told the Spanish agency EFE.

Gil Marín then launched an attack on Barcelona, though without explicitly naming the Catalan club: "We cannot allow other clubs and their associated media to dictate what we should do, to prescribe our sporting strategy, and to treat us with disrespect."

"That's exactly what they are trying to do: divide us. It's clear we are not as powerful as them, but we have our values. Atlético fans will not allow them to corrupt us. Atlético is strong when we are all united," the "Mattress Makers'" director added.