Former France and Barcelona striker Christophe Dugarry has strongly criticised Julián Álvarez and his entourage, arguing that they have badly mishandled the striker’s public push for a move away from Atlético Madrid.

Christophe Dugarry tells Julián Álvarez to ‘shut up’ over Barcelona transfer saga

Christophe Dugarry has launched a fierce attack on Julián Álvarez and his entourage over the way the Atlético Madrid striker’s Barcelona transfer saga has been handled.

The former France international believes Álvarez has every right to want a move, but insists the Argentine and those advising him have made a major mistake by allowing those intentions to become so public.

Dugarry brutally criticises Álvarez’s camp

Speaking on RMC, Dugarry questioned why Álvarez would openly discuss his desire to leave Atlético while still under contract with the Spanish club.

The former Barcelona forward was particularly critical of the people surrounding the striker, including his representatives and advisers.

Dugarry argued that Álvarez should have remained quiet, humble and intelligent while negotiations continued behind the scenes.

He even used the word “idiots” when criticising the way Álvarez and his entourage have managed the situation.

‘Shut up and handle it privately’

Dugarry’s main frustration centres on the public nature of Álvarez’s desire to join Barcelona.

He believes transfer discussions of this scale should be conducted privately rather than through repeated public signals and comments about a preferred destination.

According to Dugarry, making Barcelona’s interest and Álvarez’s preference so obvious was always likely to damage the striker’s relationship with Atlético supporters.

Griezmann used as warning

Dugarry also pointed to Antoine Griezmann’s controversial move from Atlético Madrid to Barcelona as an example of how sensitive a transfer between the two clubs can become.

He suggested Álvarez and his advisers should have learned from that saga before allowing the current situation to escalate.

The criticism comes just days after Álvarez was heavily jeered by sections of the Atlético support during the draw with Villarreal.

Dugarry still believes Álvarez can leave

Despite the harsh language, Dugarry did not argue that Atlético should force Álvarez to stay against his wishes.

He acknowledged that if the striker genuinely wants a new challenge, the club may ultimately need to find a solution.

His criticism is instead focused almost entirely on how Álvarez and his camp have communicated that desire.

Álvarez receives support from Argentina

Álvarez has not publicly responded to Dugarry’s comments, but he has received support from figures connected to his former club River Plate.

Former River president Jorge Brito publicly defended the striker’s character and professionalism, with several Argentine players also showing support for the message.

The debate around Álvarez is therefore becoming increasingly heated as the transfer deadline approaches.

Barcelona remain his preferred destination, Atlético continue to resist selling to a direct La Liga rival, and Arsenal are still monitoring the situation.

Now, with Dugarry publicly questioning the way the saga has been handled, the pressure surrounding Álvarez’s future has reached another level.