Julian Alvarez's future is becoming one of the transfer sagas of the summer amid the bitter dispute between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona
OVIEDO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 28: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Oviedo and Atletico de Madrid at Carlos Tartiere on February 28, 2026 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez's future is becoming the transfer saga of the summer(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Getty Images)
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The board of directors at Atletico Madrid have issued a statement backing the club's stance to not sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona. Atletico have been left furious by the way Hansi Flick's side have tried to sign the Argentina striker.
Arsenal are also keen on the ex-Manchester City forward and it's been claimed by Argentine outlet BolaVIP that Atletico are more willing to sell him to Mikel Arteta's side. The 26-year-old failed to attend training for the second consecutive day,citing illness as the explanation for his absence.
His preference has been to move to the Nou Camp, but it's also understood he is open to moving to Arsenal. While Atletico's latest statement made no reference to the Gunners, their stance regarding Barcelona's pursuit of him is unequivocal.
They wrote: "The members of Atlético Madrid's Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their full support for the club's decision not to negotiate the transfer of Julián Alvarez to FC Barcelona. The members of the Board of Directors are aware that:
"Atlético Madrid is open to negotiations that are part of the transfer market, but always in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs.
"We fully support the position previously communicated by the club that FC Barcelona have not met these requirements and, as a result, there have been no negotiations, nor will there be any negotiations with them regarding the transfer of Julián Alvarez."
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal is challenged by Julian Alvarez of Atletico 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 David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Alvarez could soon become an Arsenal player(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal have been searching for a high-profile attacking acquisition throughout the summer. They have already missed out on Morgan Rogers, who chose to join Chelsea instead, and Vinicius Junior, who penned fresh terms with Real Madrid.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone recently confirmed that Alvarez was instructed to head straight down the tunnel rather than acknowledge supporters by the club's coaching staff.
He said: "People at the club told me that the club decided he shouldn't go near the stands or the fans. It was the club's decision to keep him away and separate him so he could go to the locker room."
Atletico Madrid's Argentine forward #19 Julian Alvarez is pictured amid boos from home supporters during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on August 23, 2026. FC Barcelona are still looking for a striker after Atletico Madrid rejected their bid to sign Julian Alvarez, AFP reports
Alvarez's future has been disruptive to Atletico(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Arsenal have splashed the cash this summer on Ezri Konsa, Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier. However, aside from Tzolis' arrival from Club Brugge, there have been few reinforcements to the attacking ranks.
The Gunners are also braced to lose Gabriel Martinelli, with the Brazilian poised for a switch to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal. Arsenal travel to Aston Villa for their next match before hosting Chelsea on September 6.
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