Atletico Madrid rule out Julian Alvarez move to Barcelona as Arsenal remain interested
Alvarez’s Future at Atletico Madrid
The future of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez remains a subject of intense speculation, with the club stating there is “zero per cent chance” of him joining Barcelona. This declaration comes despite Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s public appeal for Atletico to accept their offer for the player. Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Alvarez, who did not train with his Atletico teammates on Wednesday. The club officially attributed his absence to a stomach bug and poor sleep, rather than issues related to his transfer.
Alvarez, who is 26 years old, has expressed a desire to join Barcelona. Laporta confirmed this interest in a video interview, stating, “We’d like our offer to be accepted, and we say this with all due respect for Atletico Madrid.” However, Atletico’s position is firm: they do not want to sell him, especially not to their LaLiga rivals. This stance is reportedly influenced by past transfer disputes between the two clubs and a desire to maintain dignity, rather than being solely about money.
According to quotes from Atletico Madrid, published by a Spanish sports newspaper, the club views itself as the victim in this situation. They claim Barcelona has harmed them both financially and socially. The club’s CEO, Miguel Gil Marín, and the Apollo board are united in their decision not to sell Alvarez to Barcelona, a decision that has been communicated to the player.
Tensions and Alternative Interests
The situation surrounding Alvarez’s future has been described as “extremely tense” by journalist Ruben Uría, an expert on Atletico Madrid. Alvarez’s public desire to leave has reportedly made him unpopular with Atletico supporters. He was booed during the team’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday, after coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute. His absence from training on Wednesday, following the team’s return from a rest period, further intensified discussions about his future.
Arsenal, the Premier League champions, continue to monitor the situation. Their sporting director, Andrea Berta, has reportedly maintained contact with his former Atletico employers. Arsenal is reportedly prepared to exceed their transfer record, which stands at £105m paid for Declan Rice three summers ago, to bring Alvarez to the Emirates Stadium. However, Alvarez himself has indicated he does not wish to move to London, preferring to stay in Spain for lifestyle and family reasons, as well as the stature of a club like Barcelona.
Despite Alvarez’s initial reluctance regarding a move to Arsenal, reports suggest his view may have softened. He has been made aware that Arsenal would play him in his preferred position and build their attack around him, contrasting with how he was utilized by Diego Simeone last season. Arsenal also believes the situation could shift in their favour as the transfer window approaches its close.
Atletico Madrid is pushing for a resolution to the Alvarez transfer saga by Friday, effectively giving him a choice regarding his next move. If Alvarez were to push for a move to Arsenal and an acceptable price is met, Atletico would require time to secure replacements. Barcelona’s ability to make a competitive offer, potentially around €150m (£128m), is questioned, with both Atletico and Arsenal believing the Catalan club may lack the necessary budget.
An additional advantage for Arsenal could be the possibility of offering players in exchange. Atletico manager Diego Simeone has been looking to strengthen his attack, and players such as Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus are reportedly appealing to the Madrid side. A deal involving one or both of these players, along with a financial fee, could facilitate a transfer. The transfer window is set to close on September 1, at which point Alvarez’s destination for the season will become clear.
Previous Disagreements and Club Stances
The tension between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona over transfers is not new. Atletico’s firm refusal to sell Alvarez to Barcelona is partly rooted in what they describe as “bad blood” from previous dealings. This historical context underscores Atletico’s current stance, which prioritizes dignity over financial considerations when it comes to transfers involving their direct rivals.
Alvarez’s desire to leave Atletico was first voiced during Argentina’s run at the 2026 World Cup, a revelation that reportedly angered the Madrid club. This earlier announcement set the stage for the current transfer discussions and the subsequent fan reaction. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Diego Simeone’s side is now preparing for their next LaLiga fixture against Sevilla on Saturday.
The club’s official statement, published by a Spanish newspaper, confirmed Alvarez’s absence from Wednesday’s training session due to illness. This detail, while officially explained, has contributed to the ongoing speculation surrounding his future as the transfer window deadline approaches.
Source: skysports.com
