In the strongest possible terms, Atlético’s CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, launching an attack on the Catalan club’s president, Joan Laporta, over the way he is handling the matter.
“The truth is that we are even more outraged and disgusted by the lies, the lack of ethics, transparency, and professionalism, and we can only insist that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances. I have the support of everyone who works with me, both shareholders and executives, and the only certain and firm decision is that we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances. My word is my bond—it’s one of the few things I have. The player will not transfer to Barcelona; that is certain,” he said.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“Julian is in a very bad way; there were people who tried to deceive him and confuse him, and I’m very sorry— I know him, and we’ve been working with him for a long time; he’s a great professional and soccer player, but he’s very confused and is going through a very difficult time, both personally and professionally,” he added.
As for the player’s future? “Our intention—and my personal dream—is for him to stay with us, to stay at Atlético. To compete with the great players, you need great players, and Julián is one of them. If he believes it’s incompatible to be at Atlético Madrid, we’ll look for an alternative, but that will never—ever—be Barcelona.”
*photo source: AP
