Incoming Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has been left “very upset” by Los Blancos’ $175 million (€150 millon) bid for Julian Alvarez according to anonyous sources in the Portuguese’s camp contacted by Mundo Deportivo.
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Incoming Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has been left “very upset” by Los Blancos’ $175 million (€150 millon) bid for Julian Alvarez according to anonyous sources in the Portuguese’s camp contacted by Mundo Deportivo.
People close to Mourinho explained that the Portuguese knew nothing about the offer for Alvarez. He only found out about it when the 15-time Champions League winners released a statement on Tuesday evening, explaining it had been made and rejected by Atletico Madrid.
These same sources say that Mourinho was left “very upset” by Florentino Perez taking this step without his knowledge or consulting him, “especially since he wasn’t exactly thrilled about the possibility of Julian joining the team”.
Mourinho and the $175 million Real Madrid bid are inextricably linked
This is because of them playing a pivotal role in Perez’s re-election campaign.
Heading to a vote on Sunday where he beat Enrique Riquelme, Perez promised three new signings including Mourinho, plus the big money offer for an unnamed player if given another term by Real Madrid members.
On the same night he dismissed Alvaro Arbeloa to make way for Mourinho, Perez kept his word through making the bid.
By the Catalan media, however, and more specifically SPORT, this has been seen as a politcal manoeuver.
With the Alvarez offer, Perez has kept his promise to members and Real Madrid members worldwide.
Perhaps more importantly, however, he’s also been seen as trying to “torpedo” arch nemesis FC Barcelona’s attempts to sign Alvarez.
As Robert Lewandowski is about to ride off into the sunset when his contract expires on June 30, the Catalans need a new striker.
Alvarez is their top target. Reports from Argentina explained that he agreed terms with Barça last week to sign a five-year deal, but that the $116 million (€100 million) transfer offer needs increasing.
Put simply, Barça are unable to afford the €150 million Real Madrid tabled for Alvarez, and Atleti can’t accept less now despite MARCA transfer expert Matteo Moretto’s contrary opinion.
Moretto believes that Barça can test Atleti’s resolve with a $138 million (€120 million) package, for a player who has allegedly decided he wants to move on.
Back to Real Madrid. If those were Perez’s true intentions, and Mourinho really has been left upset, this explanation might smooth things over while releasing the funds for the manager to decide on his own transfer targets.