Cameron Smith
Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea
© IMAGO
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has insisted that Julian Alvarez will not be sold next summer amid rumoured interest from Barcelona and Chelsea.
The Argentina international scored his 10th goal of the season during Atleti’s 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night as he continued his immense form since arriving at the Wanda Metropolitano last year.
Alvarez became Atletico Madrid’s all-time record signing when he joined the club for a transfer fee of €75 million from Manchester City in 2024 and he has subsequently established himself as an integral member of Diego Simeone’s side.
However, Barcelona have identified him as their priority target to replace Robert Lewandowski next year, while Spanish publication Fichajes" href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/oferta-150-millones-fichar-julian-alvarez-verano-20251113.html" target="_blank">Fichajes recently claimed that Chelsea have joined the race to acquire his signature in 2026.
The Blues have already finalised deals for Emanuel Emegha and Dastan Satpaev to bolster their centre forward ranks next summer, but it’s speculatively reported that a €150m bid is being prepared for Alvarez" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2025/11/chelsea-transfer-news-julian-alvarez-atletico-madrid-enzo-fernandez-150m" target="_blank">but it’s speculatively reported that a €150m bid is being prepared for Alvarez.
Chelsea have even reportedly requested his international team-mate Enzo Fernandez to discuss a potential transfer with Alvarez.
However, Atletico Madrid have confirmed that a sale won’t take place in 2026, with their star striker set to remain at the club instead.
Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid
© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez transfer message
“Julian has a contract and he has to fulfill it, like everyone else,” Atletico Madrid president Cerezo told Mundo Deportivo" href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/atletico-madrid/20251126/1002576452/julian-alvarez-quiere-quedar-atletico.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo.
“Julian is a player we want and he wants to stay here, so what more reinforcement does he need? He's been with us for a year and he has five or six more!
“We are not open to negotiating for Julian or any other player. Now, if a team comes for a player and he wants to leave, then he'll leave, but right now there isn't a single player who wants to leave.”
Alvarez has scored 39 goals and provided 12 assists in 74 games for Atletico Madrid, and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €121.5m.
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