Barcelona continue to hope to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid despite the move looking extremely unrealistic.
Los Colchoneros have doubled down on the stance they have maintained all summer and made it clear that they will not sell the Argentine international to Barça at any cost.
Alvarez missed Atletico training for three consecutive days this week, prompting speculation that he was pushing for an exit from the club.
Alemany expects Julian back
However, as quoted by SPORT, Atletico director of football Mateu Alemany has reinforced the club’s position and also addressed Alvarez’s training absences.
“We have been clear,” Alemany said when questioned about the striker’s situation.
“The board has said it, Miguel Angel Gil Marin has said it, and I refer to that. Why should I speak?”
Julian Alvarez has been pushing for a move away from Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
He also addressed Julian’s recent absence from training.
“Julian had some days when he wasn’t feeling well, yesterday he trained and we expect him to be available for the next league match,” Alemany added.
That message is significant for Barcelona. Atletico are clearly attempting to move the conversation away from a possible transfer and towards Julian returning to normal first-team duties.
Tension has eased, but situation remains complicated
The situation had intensified after Alvarez missed three training sessions, with the forward wanting the opportunity to join Hansi Flick at Barcelona.
Since then, it looks like the tension has eased. Diego Simeone has opened the door to repairing the situation inside the dressing room.
However, with a couple of days still left in the summer transfer window, the situation continues to be complicated.
Premier League champions Arsenal are interested in signing the 26-year-old, but Alvarez does not seem keen on a move to England.
Meanwhile, while Barça continue to lie in wait for Atletico to change their mind, there is not much else that can be done.
Barcelona have to face reality
Barcelona look set to head into September with Raphinha as their first-choice striker. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Barcelona may still be active in the summer transfer window, but it does not look like they will move for an alternative striker to Alvarez.
The Catalan club should face reality and accept that they might be going into September without a recognised No. 9.
Hansi Flick has shown that he is ready to improvise with Raphinha as a No. 9, and it is a solution that the German manager is willing to trust.
Meanwhile, the squad also has the likes of Anthony Gordon, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez, who can play as the striker.
Barcelona also have the opportunity to develop Hamza Abdelkarim and mould him into a player capable of taking on that role.
Everything points to Alvarez remaining an Atletico player for the foreseeable future, and it remains to be seen how the next few days pan out.