Álvarez could earn a lower release clause after 20 goals as Barcelona watch on

Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has reportedly offered Julián Álvarez a possible route out of Atlético Madrid. According to Pipi Estrada of “El Chiringuito”, the club’s chief executive promised to reduce the striker’s release clause if he reaches 20 goals this season.

This is a media report, not an official announcement from Atlético. No figure has been given for the proposed new clause, while there is no confirmation that the alleged promise was written into Álvarez’s contract. Barcelona have therefore been handed an encouraging storyline rather than a clear path to a transfer.

ESTRADA REVEALS THE ALLEGED PROMISE

Estrada said the relationship between Álvarez and Atlético’s hierarchy had begun to improve. Gil Marín reportedly called the Argentine after his performance against Liverpool and congratulated him despite the defeat.

“Gil Marín’s promise is that he told Julián that, if he reaches 20 goals, he will lower his release clause,” Estrada said.

Neither Atlético, Gil Marín nor Álvarez has publicly confirmed that arrangement. Other panellists on the programme, including Jota Jordi and José Álvarez, did not claim to have the same information, although they suggested that Atlético’s position regarding a future sale may have softened.

A SHARP CONTRAST WITH JULY’S MESSAGE

The report marks a clear change in tone from Gil Marín’s public comments in July. At the time, he said Atlético would not accept bids of €100 million, €150 million or even €200 million for Álvarez. He also made it clear that Barcelona had been told the forward was not for sale.

A change of circumstances remains possible, but an alleged verbal promise cannot be treated as a contractual amendment. The report does not specify how far the clause would be reduced, whether additional conditions apply or which clubs would be able to take advantage of it.

Even if Atlético eventually lower the clause, that would not amount to an offer from Barcelona, an agreement between the clubs or a completed transfer.

BARCELONA’S PLAN STILL DEPENDS ON ATLÉTICO

Álvarez has repeatedly been linked with Barcelona as the club assess long-term options for their attack. For now, however, the Catalans control none of the decisive elements: the player’s goal tally, Atlético’s interpretation of the alleged promise or the final price.

Barcelona’s latest potential route to a new striker therefore begins with Álvarez scoring for somebody else and ends with Atlético keeping an arrangement that has not been publicly documented. The reduced clause has already entered the conversation; its value, legal status and practical relevance remain unknown.