Atletico Madrid have closed the door on a potential move to Barcelona for Argentina international Julian Alvarez, with the club’s board unanimously endorsing its existing position.
Key takeaways
- Atletico’s directors said Barcelona will not enter negotiations for Alvarez.
- Joan Laporta had declared that Barca remained interested in the 26-year-old striker.
- Atletico supporters jeered Alvarez before and during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
- The forward joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024 and has registered 49 goals and 17 assists in 107 appearances.
- Arsenal have also been mentioned as a possible destination for the Argentina star.
Atletico reject Barcelona approach
The board’s decision came 24 hours after Barcelona president Joan Laporta publicly revealed that the Spanish champions were examining the possibility of signing Alvarez, whose future in Madrid has been the subject of growing speculation.
Alvarez, a member of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad, has faced a hostile reaction from sections of the Atletico support since reports of Barca’s interest emerged. He was booed while warming up and again when he entered the field during Atletico’s home meeting with Villarreal on Sunday, which ended level at 2-2.
During the 2026 World Cup, Alvarez said he had held discussions with Atletico regarding a possible move because it would allow him to “fulfil my dream”.
Atletico’s directors said the club remained willing to conduct ordinary transfer business, provided discussions were handled professionally, ethically and respectfully. However, they said Barcelona had not satisfied those standards, meaning no talks would take place and the club had no intention of considering Alvarez’s transfer to the Catalan side.
The Madrid club had already described the likelihood of selling the forward to Barcelona as zero per cent on Wednesday, insisting that the dispute was a matter of dignity rather than financial value.
Laporta maintains Barca interest
Laporta has taken a different position, stating that Barcelona’s interest and its offer would stay active until the transfer window shuts if Atletico ultimately chose to put Alvarez on the market. He also maintained that Barca had conducted its approach in line with the standards Atletico expected.
Reports in Spain have additionally connected Alvarez with Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions.
Atletico signed Alvarez from Manchester City in 2024 on a six-year deal. Across 107 matches for the Madrid club, he has scored 49 times and supplied 17 assists.
Atletico said it expected Alvarez to accept the board’s decision and keep his attention on helping the team meet its objectives, as he had done throughout the two seasons since beginning his spell in the club’s colours.
