Madrid, Spain - February 12: Dani Olmo of FC Barcelona and Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid battle for the ball during the Copa Del Rey match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on February 12, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Barcelona star Dani Olmo has been quizzed on the Julian Alvarez transfer saga and says he can’t understand how Atletico behaved throughout the summer.
Alvarez said during World Cup 2026 that he wanted to leave the club but Atletico blocked a transfer to Barcelona.
Olmo has been asked for his thoughts on the situation and offered up the following response.
“Julián is a great player, a great number 9, undoubtedly one of the best in the world, but that’s football. I don’t understand it. In the end, we all have our dreams. I think Julián was clear about that too,” he told reporters.
“He has fought for it and it has not been possible. Then there are external situations, that you can’t control, and this was one of them. Life goes on.”
Olmo then looked to the future and is hoping to bring more silverware to Barcelona in 2026-27.
“We personally expect a very good year, for sure, with a lot of competition, because the other clubs have also strengthened their squads very well, but I think we have more than enough talent to compete,” he added.
“There are new objectives: to keep winning, to keep defending the League, Cup, and Super Cup titles. And to go for the Champions League, for which we have more than enough.”
Alvarez may not have arrived at Camp Nou this summer, but there’s already speculation flying about that Barcelona remain interested in the Argentina and will try again in the future.