Arsenal FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg
Julian Alvarez faces an uncertain future at Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid insist Julian Alvarez is not for sale and have hit out at ‘months of lies and half-truths’ linking the striker with Arsenal and Barcelona.
Alvarez has scored 49 goals in two seasons since joining Atleti from Manchester City, but has been strongly linked with a move this summer.
The Argentine is believed to be keen to move to join a more ‘ambitious project’, with Barcelona seen as the 26-year-old’s ideal destination.
Arsenal have also been strongly linked with a move for Alvarez, with the club following the striker closely in recent months as they consider adding to their attacking options in the summer.
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Reports suggest that any deal to prise Alvarez away from Atleti could require a staggering fee of around 150m euros (£130m).
And the Spanish club, who signed Alavrez for €95m (£82m) in 2024, confirmed they are yet to receive an offer as they took aim at the constant speculation surrounding the future of their star player.
‘There has been no offer for our player or any meeting,’ the club said via Spanish outlet Marca.
Atletico de Madrid v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg
Alvarez is reportedly open to a summer move (Picture: Getty)
‘We are tired of months of lies, half-truths, harassment of our players in mixed zones, and absurd questions that are all part of a pre-arranged campaign.
‘Julian is not for sale. There has been no offer for our player, nor any meeting. It’s just agent talk.
‘Julian has behaved impeccably at all times, giving his all on the pitch and demonstrating maximum professionalism. We know he didn’t cause all this noise – he has always behaved perfectly.’
Atletico de Madrid v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg
Arsenal have been linked with Alvarez (Picture: Getty)
Reports in The Athletic suggest that Barcelona are preparing an opening bid of around €100m (£87m) for Alvarez, although that would appear to fall well below Atleti’s rumoured asking price.
The Catalan giants have already been active in the transfer market and look poised to complete a deal for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.
The Englishman has flown to Spain to complete a medical and sign a five-year contract after a £69m deal was agreed between both clubs.
And despite signing Gordon, Barcelona are also still said to be keen to explore a permanent deal for Marcus Rashford, who enjoyed a productive loan spell with the Spanish champions last year.
Barcelona have the option to sign him on a permanent deal from Manchester United for £26m, although that clause would need to be activated before a June 15 deadline.
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