“My personal dream is for Julian Alvarez to stay at Atleti.” Miguel Angel Gil said that as Atletico Madrid hardened their public line on the forward, and the timing is obvious. Tuesday’s 23:00 BST English deadline is coming fast, the window has been open since 15 June, and Atletico are still looking for a fee of 150m euros (£128m).
Atletico's line on Barcelona
Gil went further than wishful thinking. “If he wants to leave the club, we will look for an alternative, but he will never, ever, ever go to Barcelona,” he said, while an Atletico statement repeated that there will be no negotiation and “zero consideration” of a Alvarez move to Barcelona.
That public stance sits alongside the club’s standing in La Liga. Atletico are second and have won three of their last five, so there is no obvious football reason for them to rush into a compromise. Barcelona are sixth and host Rayo Vallecano on August 31, which keeps their need for a striker in view, but Atletico’s refusal has been the dominant line so far.
Alvarez back in training
The other piece that matters is Alvarez’s return to work. Mateu Alemany said, “The plan is very clear. Julián had a few days where he wasn't feeling well. Yesterday [Friday] he trained and we expect him to rejoin the team quickly and be available for the next league match.”
Alemany also said Alvarez “missed three sessions during the week,” but he was back in group work as of Sunday. Diego Simeone said, “When Julián returns to training, I will do everything possible to make him feel as important as Julián has always been at the club.” That sounds like a club preparing to keep him, not one treating him like a player already halfway out of the door.
Arsenal remain the only serious fallback route mentioned in the reporting, and their five straight wins explain why they keep coming up in the conversation. Even so, the England move is not a settled one, and Alvarez’s situation still points back to Madrid unless the last 48 hours force a change. Atletico’s next game is away to Athletic Club on September 6, which gives them reason to want the matter closed before the window does.
FAQ
Will Atletico Madrid sell Julián Alvarez to Barcelona before deadline day?
Atletico’s public line is no. Miguel Angel Gil said Alvarez will “never, ever, ever go to Barcelona,” and the club statement said there will not be any negotiation and there is zero consideration of a Barcelona transfer.
Is Arsenal still an option for Julián Alvarez?
Arsenal have been mentioned as a possible destination, but the move is not confirmed. The story also says Alvarez’s own reluctance to move to England keeps that route uncertain, even with the transfer window running down.
Why does Julián Alvarez’s return to training matter now?
Mateu Alemany said Alvarez trained on Friday after a few days when he was not feeling well and should rejoin the team quickly. With Tuesday’s 23:00 BST deadline approaching and the window open since 15 June, Atletico want clarity fast.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →
