Simeone says there is no uncertainty over Julián Alvarez, and Atletico Madrid are treating the forward as part of their plans for Villarreal. He said Alvarez will be in the squad tomorrow, after leaving him out of the La Liga opener against Málaga because of match fitness. Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has also said Atletico did not accept €100 million, and would not accept €150 million or €200 million either.
Atletico's public line
Diego Simeone’s message was blunt enough without needing much reading between the lines. "There's no uncertainty. Miguel Ángel [Gil Marín] spoke clearly," he said, while also adding: "For me [Alvarez’s] a really important player to achieve our objectives. We’ll be with him, we’ll look after him on the sporting side, because he’s our player ... he’ll be in the squad tomorrow."
That fits the club’s stance. Atletico finished fourth in La Liga last season with a 21-6-11 record, scored 62 league goals and conceded 44. This is not a team that needs to sell for balance-sheet drama, and the way Simeone spoke suggested the club want control of the story as much as control of the player.
Barcelona and Arsenal remain in the background
The other side of the saga has not gone away. Alvarez is still being linked with Barcelona, which has been described as his ideal long-term destination, while Arsenal remain a live option if his stance softens. Gaston Edul said, "Julian turned down Arsenal because he knows exactly what he wants: to join FC Barcelona."
That is the part Atletico are trying to shut down. Their line is that Alvarez is under contract until June 2030, he is staying for now, and he will be in the squad against Villarreal. The noise around Barcelona and Arsenal may continue, but the club have at least made their position plain before Sunday.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
