The transfer situation surrounding Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has escalated, with the forward informing the club that they should no longer count on him. This development follows Atletico’s decision to block his desired move to La Liga rivals Barcelona, despite an earlier promise allegedly made to the player in February regarding a potential summer exit.
Alvarez, a 26-year-old Argentina international, returned to pre-season training on Monday, August 10, with the intention of speaking to manager Diego Simeone and formally requesting a transfer. However, his frustration grew when he discovered that Simeone was away on a two-day family vacation in Ibiza following the team’s tour of Asia, and club CEO Gil Marín was also unavailable. According to reports from Albiceleste Talk, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has stated that his patience has completely run out.
Tensions remain high as Atletico previously rejected a €100 million offer from Barcelona for the striker last month. While the club is determined to retain him, some of his teammates reportedly believe that Alvarez should take responsibility for the situation and issue a public apology to the fanbase. The shift in the club’s stance has created a significant rift, as the player expected to be allowed to depart during this window.
Since arriving at the Wanda Metropolitano from Manchester City in the summer of 2024, Alvarez has been a key contributor. Across 106 appearances in all competitions, he has recorded 49 goals and 17 assists. During the previous campaign, he tallied 20 goals and nine assists in 49 matches, helping the team secure a fourth-place finish in La Liga while also reaching the Copa del Rey final, the Supercopa, and the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup finalist maintained strong form in Europe last season, netting 10 goals in 15 continental appearances. This included a goal during the 1-1 first-leg draw against Arsenal, although Atletico ultimately exited the competition in the semi-finals with a 2-1 aggregate defeat.
The former Manchester City marksman returned to pre-season training on Monday (August 10) and wanted to have a word with manager Diego Simeone and make an official request to move.
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