Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid looks on during the LaLiga
MADRID, SPAIN - 2026/08/23: Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/2027 week 2 football match between Atletico Madrid and Villarreal CF at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium. Final score; Atletico Madrid 2:2 Villarreal CF. (Photo by Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez still has his heart set on Barcelona despite Atletico insisting they will not sell the forward to the Catalans.
Arsenal have emerged as a potential alternative destination but have been told by the Argentina international that he does not want to move to the Gunners.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has an update on the situation and doesn’t expect Alvarez to leave Atletico for Arsenal.
“It’s a low chance that he will come to Arsenal because he’s had his heart set on Barcelona, if he leaves Atletico,” he told TNT Sports.
”Atletico have closed the doors to Barcelona. That won’t happen. They would do a deal with Arsenal, who are prepared to reach an agreement club to club, but they would want the player to want to join them and he’s shown no indication of wanting to at this point.
“He’s spoken to Mikel Arteta and said that he doesn’t want to come. Now that could change. Could he soften in the days ahead? These situations are always movable. But right now it’s not developing in the way that some have suggested or wanted to.”
Time is rapidly running out in the transfer window, with Alvarez currently not training with his team-mates and not in the squad for their game against Sevilla later.