Julian Alvarez is still being pursued by Arsenal and Barcelona in a transfer saga which is becoming more and more bitter with every passing day
GIRONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 21: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Atletico de Madrid at Montilivi Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez's future is becoming one of the sagas of the summer(Image: Judit Cartiel, Getty Images)
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Atletico Madrid have made it clear they will not sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona under any circumstances. Arsenal are trying to wrap up a move for the Argentine before the end of the transfer window.
The 26-year-old's desire is believed to be a move to the Camp Nou this summer. However, Atletico have felt disrespected by the way Barcelona have sought to sign him and are refusing to sell him to the club.
In June, he made it clear he wants to leave the club to move to Barcelona, although it's also understood he is open to moving to Arsenal. Things took a nasty turn on the weekend when he was heavily jeered by Atletico fans during the club's 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
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He then missed training on Wednesday through illness. In and amongst these events, Barcelona president Joan Laporta insisted the club were still in the race to sign him and that they would be willing to pay £85.7million for his services.
Atletico have since hit back with an explosive statement of their own, making it clear they will not sell to Barcelona. In on the record quotes published by Marca, Atletico said: "The player is being portrayed as the victim.
"But, we are the only victims in this case. [Barcelona] have harmed us both financially and socially. There is a zero-per-cent chance of selling him to Barcelona - it's not about money, it's about dignity."
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid looks to control the ball while under pressure from Gabriel of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Alvarez is still being pursued by Arsenal(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
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This angry feud plays perfectly into Arsenal's hands. Aside from brief rumours claiming Chelsea were interested in Alvarez, the Gunners are the only club who are seriously interested in him.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are also interested in securing Alvarez. The Gunners remain active in the market for a marquee forward before the September 1 deadline, following Vinicius Jr's choice to stay at Real Madrid.
They have been consistently linked with a move for Alvarez and he would provide an additional dimension to Arsenal's attacking options as they aim to defend the Premier League title and compete in the Champions League this season.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 24: Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona, speaks during presentation of the Centenary events of the FC Barcelona Basketball section at Auditori 1899 on August 24, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Laporta insists Barcelona are still in the race for Alvarez(Image: Europa Press Sports, Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Barcelona will continue pursuing Alvarez until the window closes, despite Atleti making clear the only route to signing him is through his substantial release clause.
His release clause is understood to be around £430m, more than double the previous transfer record which saw Neymar depart Barcelona to sign for Paris Saint-Germain for £200m.
Arsenal have already spent over £200m this season on Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier.