Atletico Prez On Alvarez Rumors: 'Can You Guarantee You Won't Die This Year?'

Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has delivered a bizarre and blunt response when asked about star striker Julian Alvarez potentially moving to La Liga rivals Barcelona this summer.

Shutting down the transfer rumours ahead of a massive clash between the two clubs, the executive insisted the Argentine remains firmly under contract at the Metropolitano.

As reported by Marca, Cerezo made it clear that Atletico have no intention of letting Alvarez leave. 

Before a lunch with Barcelona executives, reporters pressed him on the forward moving to the Catalan capital. Cerezo responded to the rumors with a bizarre analogy. 

He asked: "Can you guarantee that you are not going to die between now and the end of the year? If a player has a contract with a team and he has many years of contract left with that team, then you tell me what can happen. I'll tell you in three words... Julian has a contract."

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It is easy to see why Barcelona have made the 26-year-old a top summer target. The forward has been sensational this season, racking up 17 goals and nine assists across 44 appearances in all competitions, playing a total of 3,106 minutes. 

His impact since leaving Manchester City has been immense, boasting an impressive overall tally of 46 goals and 17 assists in 101 matches for Atletico. 

Furthermore, prising him away will prove incredibly difficult, as his current deal expires on June 30, 2030, ensuring the Rojiblancos hold all the cards in any potential negotiations.

Recent reports indicate that Barcelona have identified Alvarez as their primary target to bolster their attacking line. 

However, the club face significant financial hurdles in acquiring the striker. While they are desperate to secure a marquee