Barcelona previously submitted an offer worth more than €100 million for the Argentina international, but Atlético rejected the proposal earlier in the summer. The 26-year-old has emerged as Barça’s preferred target to eventually succeed Robert Lewandowski in attack.
With the transfer window set to close next week, Barcelona are hoping Atlético could change their position and agree to negotiations.
“According to Vox Populi, it seems the player wants to join Barça,” Laporta told Barça’s official media channels on Wednesday.
“We're keeping our hopes up and sticking to our plan -- with all due respect to Atlético -- of trying to sign him.”
Laporta said Barcelona were still willing to negotiate directly with Atlético and had no intention of withdrawing their proposal.
“We would like to reach an agreement with Atlético; we are therefore standing by our proposal, our offer to Atlético, and hopefully there will be an understanding between the two clubs,” he said.
Atlético remain reluctant to sell
Atlético have repeatedly indicated that they do not want to part with Álvarez, despite growing speculation over his future.
Barcelona’s pursuit has also caused tension between the two clubs. Atlético reported the Catalan side to FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation, alleging that Barcelona had improperly approached the player.
Laporta, however, insisted that his club had conducted itself appropriately throughout the negotiations and maintained that Barcelona had respected Atlético’s position.
“We made a significant offer to Atlético for Julián, a player our coach [Hansi Flick] has a real interest in signing,” Laporta said.
He explained that he had spoken directly with Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, who told him the club would not sell Álvarez because it did not have a replacement for him.
“I said when they have one, if the summer window was still open, we would be there to do a deal for Julián,” Laporta said.
According to the Barcelona president, the club subsequently put the negotiations on hold after Atlético made clear that they did not want to lose their striker without first bringing in another forward.
However, reports of Atlético holding discussions with other clubs later prompted Barcelona to maintain their offer.
“Upon learning that, we're in a situation where we want to maintain our offer and for them to transfer Julián to us, not another club,” Laporta said.
Álvarez's future remains uncertain
Álvarez’s future has become one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer, with several of Europe’s leading clubs reportedly interested.
Arsenal have expressed an interest in the forward, while Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have also been linked with him. Real Madrid have reportedly claimed they made a €150 million bid for the player that was unsuccessful.
Álvarez himself has previously indicated that he would prefer to leave Atlético. In an interview with ESPN, he said a “transfer would be best for all parties” and that he wanted to “fulfil his dream”.
Sources have also indicated that Barcelona is his preferred destination.
Atlético fans turn on forward
The uncertainty surrounding his future has already affected Álvarez’s relationship with Atlético supporters.
During Sunday's 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the Metropolitano, the striker was booed before the match and received an even stronger reaction when he entered the game as a second-half substitute.
At the final whistle, Álvarez did not join his teammates as they went towards the supporters at the South Goal. Instead, he headed down the tunnel.
Atlético manager Diego Simeone said the player had acted in accordance with advice given to him by the club.
With fewer than seven days remaining before the transfer window closes, Atlético’s position will be closely watched. Unless the Madrid club softens its stance or secures a replacement for Álvarez, a move to Barcelona could prove difficult.
Arsenal, meanwhile, remain interested and could attempt to take advantage if Barcelona fail to reach an agreement with Atlético before the deadline.