Arsenal and Barcelona have both been linked with Julian Alvarez during this summer window, but Atletico Madrid are reluctant to sell the Argentina international
11:45, 21 Aug 2026Updated 12:32, 21 Aug 2026
Arsenal transfer target Julian Alvarez wants to sign for Barcelona from Atletico Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Barcelona are reportedly preparing an offer to sign Lautaro Martinez from Inter as an alternative to Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal are also linked with the Argentina international, whom Mikel Arteta is believed to be a big fan of the player after the former’s time at Manchester City. Alvarez, however, apparently has his heart set on signing for the Catalan club this summer.
Atletico continue to block a move to their La Liga rivals Barca, though, which is said to have left them moving for other options as they enter this season without a recognised centre-forward. Martinez is now seemingly emerging as a possibility.
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El Chiringuito claim Barcelona‘s head coach, Hansi Flick, and sporting director, Deco, are very keen on signing Alvarez’s international team-mate. The latter is said to have met with their football co-ordinator, Bojan, and Martinez’s agent, Alejandro Camano, in Madrid last week.
The reporting adds that they have effectively already reached an agreement in principle with the player on a contract. An opening offer from Barcelona will apparently not exceed £86million (€100m).
However, much like Atletico, Inter are not keen on selling their striker, who also captains the Milanese club. Gazzetta dello Sport stresses that they are not contemplating his departure.
Fans in Madrid, however, are making their feelings known about Alvarez, displaying several signs around the club’s Sports City that say “JULIAN OUT” and have his shirt number 19 crossed out. Supporters shared similar sentiments before yesterday’s La Liga opener against Malaga.
A banner unfurled earlier in the week read: “Julian, thank you for the respect you are having for us, a**hole. Barca and your circle have deceived you like a capricious child. Our Atleti above all.”
Alvarez was not in the matchday squad at Metropolitano Stadium last night. He has not featured for Atletico at all since last season.
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Mundo Deportivo claim that Atletico acknowledge that the situation is becoming increasingly untenable and are apparently open to negotiating a deal with Alvarez. Viktor Gyokeres could even end up replacing the Argentina international, with Diego Simeone said to be open to having him.
The former Man City forward has his heart set on Barcelona, though, and seemingly has no interest in returning to the Premier League. Atletico are equally as unwilling to do business with their domestic rivals, so the stand-off seemingly remains. Alvarez is training with his club, but it remains to be seen whether he plays again for them.