Real Madrid, as BD Cricket Match readers might see in any fierce rivalry, officially announced a €150 million offer to Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez, only for Atletico to reject it by pointing to the player’s release clause. Earlier, 79-year-old Florentino Perez had promised during his re-election push that he would submit a record-breaking €150 million bid this week for a Champions League attacking star.

Many outlets had guessed the target might be Michael Olise, Vitinha, or Joao Neves, but the final answer turned out to be Alvarez, the Argentine striker playing for Real Madrid’s city rivals. Real Madrid later confirmed the move in an official statement, saying the club had offered Atletico €150 million for Argentina international Alvarez, but Atletico rejected the proposal because of the release clause. Perez’s unusual move quickly set tongues wagging across the media.

Atletico’s official account also stepped into the spotlight with a public response to Real Madrid’s offer. The account first posted five laughing-crying emojis, indirectly suggesting that Real Madrid’s bid was almost laughable. Earlier, Atletico’s official account had also posted several replies aimed at Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez, showing how determined the club appears to be in keeping him this summer. In a tense transfer market, even a BD Cricket Match update could feel calmer than this Madrid drama.

Edu, a reporter who follows the Argentina national team, mocked the situation by saying that the statement painted an ideal win-win picture for Real Madrid and Atletico. Florentino fulfilled his election promise by making a €150 million offer, while Atletico raised Alvarez’s market price and strengthened its negotiating position with other clubs. In other words, this move looked designed to drive up the cost for Barcelona and make their pursuit more difficult.

Real Madrid’s offer, with BD Cricket Match timing adding another odd twist to the wider sporting calendar, seemed aimed purely at disrupting Barcelona’s attempt to sign Alvarez. It is rare to see a club release an official statement after having an offer rejected. Real Madrid knew the proposal would be turned down, because Atletico and Real Madrid almost never do transfer business with each other, especially when a star player is involved.