Arsenal have been admirers of Julian Alvarez, who has made his feelings clear about wanting to depart Atletico Madrid this summer
Julian Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal have received a significant update on Julian Alvarez, who will reportedly reiterate his desire to leave Atletico Madrid for Barcelona. Alvarez, expected to report for pre‑season this week, has made no secret of his wish to leave the club this summer with Arsenal continuing to monitor the situation closely.
Mikel Arteta is a long‑time admirer of the former Manchester City forward, who has produced 49 goals and 17 assists in 106 appearances for Atletico. However, the Spanish side have remained firm in their stance, particularly after the 26‑year‑old made headlines during the World Cup by publicly signalling his intention to move on.
“I spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream,” he said.
“It’s not the time to talk about this, but I also can’t hide it. I try to be an honest person.”
Alvarez has attracted bids from both Barcelona and Real Madrid, yet his manager Diego Simeone insists nothing has changed and that Atletico have no intention of letting him go.
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“The situation is very clear, the club made a decision that Miguel Angel Gil Marin [Atletico’s CEO] explained very well,” Simeone said. “We are very happy with Julian, from a sporting perspective, we’re very happy to have a player like Julian, and we’ll help him continue to grow and improve.”
Ahead of his return to Atleti, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that Alvarez will again make clear his desire to join Barcelona, despite having already made that clear both privately and publicly, as the saga reaches its ‘decisive phase’. This would clearly indicate that Arsenal would be out of the race for his services if the Spanish giants were to change their stance.
Atleti have so far stood firm, though the Argentine remains hopeful the club may eventually reconsider. The outlet notes that ‘a major crisis could erupt’ between Atleti and the Argentine.
It’s also said that if Atletico soften their stance and agree to enter negotiations, Barcelona ‘will submit a new offer.’
However, Gil Marin has made it clear that the club will not be entertaining any offers for their star man this summer.
“It wasn’t the right day to make such statements; it was a day for [Lionel] Messi and the Argentine national team, not Julian,” he previously told EFE about Alvarez’s comments regarding his desire to leave.
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“Julian has a dream [to sign elsewhere], but we Atletico fans have dreams, too. It is true that he has spoken to us, but it is also true that he is fully aware of our position because we have been very clear.
“Atleti do not want to transfer him. He is a great player and we are very proud that he plays for us.”