In a transfer window already simmering with tension, Atletico Madrid have lit the fuse with a piece of mischief that would make even the wiliest of ag...
In a transfer window already simmering with tension, Atletico Madrid have lit the fuse with a piece of mischief that would make even the wiliest of agents crack a smile. On Friday, the Rojiblancos aimed a perfectly timed, tongue in cheek jab at their La Liga rivals Barcelona, mocking the Camp Nou's much publicised pursuit of Argentine striker Julian Alvarez.The move is a delicious piece of psychological warfare. Barcelona have spent weeks negotiating with Manchester City, their financial constraints laid bare for all to see, while their sporting department has been accused of conducting a 'smear campaign' against Alvarez in an attempt to lower the asking price. Atletico, never ones to miss an opportunity to rattle their neighbours, responded by making a public, and entirely facetious, offer for Lamine Yamal, the prodigious 16 year old winger who has taken the Spanish game by storm.Of course, this is not a serious bid. Atletico know Yamal is as untouchable as the Camp Nou itself. But the message is crystal clear: if you can play silly beggars with our players, we can do the same with yours. It is a masterclass in the dark arts of the transfer market, a reminder that in the corridors of power, the mind games often begin long before a ball is kicked.For the neutral, this is catnip. The rivalry between these two heavyweights has always been one of the most combustible in European football. You have the pragmatism of Diego Simeone's low block against the tiki taka idealism of the Catalan giants. Now, the needle is being threaded through a very different kind of tactical battle, one played out in press releases and social media. It is petty, it is brilliant, and it is utterly exhausting for Barca's hierarchy.So, where does this leave Julian Alvarez The World Cup winner remains a target for Barcelona, but Atletico's jibe is a reminder that the player's current employers are not going to roll over. If Barca want their man, they will have to dig deeper into their pockets. And if they continue to play games, they can expect more of the same in return. Squeaky bum time has arrived early this season.
