Atlético Madrid's sporting director Mateo Alemany has put an end to all the speculation. With the Rojiblancos faithful jeering Julián Álvarez and rumours of an exit swirling, the strongman of the sporting management came out and said it plainly: the transfer market is over.
Calm and measured, Alemany assessed the final stretch of Atlético's summer mercato. The club had done everything it planned, he confirmed, and no surprises lay on the horizon.
Speaking to DAZN in comments relayed by "Mundo Deportivo", he settled the debate: "The essentials have been completed, and our plan regarding arrivals and departures is done. We are in a good position and comfortable." That closed the door on any new signings. It also ended the dreams of supporters holding out for one last blockbuster deal.
A coded message to Álvarez
Nor did the Atlético official shy away from the hottest issue: the future of Argentine star Julián Álvarez, courted by Barcelona and Arsenal and dropping intriguing hints about his desire to leave.
Alemany's response came firm and direct, killing off the rumours that first surfaced five or six months ago. "If he is called up, and he becomes ready to play, that makes any talk unnecessary and reminds everyone of the importance of their role," he said.
He went on: "This topic has indeed been recurring, but what matters most is our current situation, where Julián has been called up and is ready to play. This makes everything clear and puts everyone in their right place." The message leaves no room for interpretation. Álvarez is staying, and the pitch is the only arbiter.
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No room for excuses
On targets, Alemany raised the ceiling of ambition, insisting that a finished project demands competition on every front. "We cannot set any goal other than to occupy the highest possible position in all competitions, while being aware of the difficulty of that. We are a great club with a distinguished history, and we must aspire to compete for everything," he said.
He signed off by praising the new arrivals and backing the choices made by the club and the technical staff: "They joined us to help, and it is up to the coach to deploy them. I am satisfied with any starting line-up we choose. These players are here because the club and the coach wanted them."