Arsenal remain in direct talks to sign Atlético Madrid striker Julián Alvarez after Barcelona halted their pursuit and the Spanish club released an official statement confirming they will not negotiate a transfer to Camp Nou. Alvarez has missed training as the Premier League champions pursue a club-to-club agreement.
Julián Alvarez has not attended Atlético Madrid training sessions for two consecutive days after being informed privately that the La Liga club will not sell him to Barcelona. Sources told BBC Sport that Atlético communicated privately to Alvarez and his advisers earlier this week that they will not negotiate with the Catalan club over a move for the Argentina international. The 26-year-old forward has cited illness during his absence from the squad, while Atlético management has doubled down on their hardline stance through a pair of public statements. The La Liga club also released two public statements in the space of 24 hours reiterating their stance that Alvarez will not be granted his wish to join Barca in the coming days.
The developments open a clear path for Arsenal, who have maintained a long-term interest in the Argentina international as they look to step up their transfer business before the September 1 deadline, having agreed a £51m deal with Aston Villa for England defender Ezri Konsa. The Gunners are also moving to sign Manchester United youngsters James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye. According to reports, Atlético have softened their overall position regarding a summer exit and recognize that keeping an unhappy player has become increasingly difficult to manage. Atletico are said to have accepted that it is best that the 26-year-old leaves the club this summer.
Atlético Madrid Issues Unanimous Board Statement Blocking Camp Nou Switch
The standoff intensified when Atlético Madrid published an official document from their board of directors confirming that Alvarez will not be sold to Barcelona. Barcelona had been pushing hard to sign Alvarez this summer and previously saw a bid worth €100million (£86m) for his services rejected by their LaLiga rivals. Atletico subsequently complained to FIFA, alleging the Catalan club had approached Alvarez without permission.
The members of Atletico de Madrid's board of directors have unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club's decision to not negotiate the transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid Board of Directors, via BBC Sport
Unanimous backing from the Board of Directors for the club's strategy The members of Atlético Madrid's Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their full support for the club's decision not to negotiate the transfer of Julián Alvarez to FC Barcelona. The members of the Board of Directors are aware that: Atlético Madrid is open to negotiations that are part of the transfer market, but always in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs. We fully support the position previously communicated by the club that FC Barcelona have not met these requirements and, as a result, there have been no negotiations, nor will there be any negotiations with them regarding the transfer of Julián Alvarez. Atlético Madrid are convinced that our player will understand the decision and focus on working in the best possible way to help the club achieve its objectives, as he has already done during the two seasons in which he has defended our colours. The
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano noted the significance of the release, bringing the latest on a potential move to the Emirates Stadium. Earlier in the week, in response to comments from Barcelona president Joan Laporte in which he insisted they still wanted to sign Alvarez, Atletico released a statement that read: There is 0% chance of selling him to Barca.
Arsenal Holds Direct Talks in London Over Valuation
With Barcelona effectively out of the picture after ESPN reported that Barcelona have now decided to end their attempts to sign Alvarez for now and are assessing other options to improve their attack before the end of the window amid links to the likes of Sporting frontman Luis Suarez, Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Villarreal duo Ayoze Perez and Georges Mikautadze, Arsenal stands as the primary destination for the forward. Barcelona boss Hansi Flick needs further reinforcements in the final third to complement the signings of Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, after Ferran Torres joined Paris Saint-Germain and Robert Lewandowski left the club at the end of his contract, moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) with Chicago Fire. They have also been tentatively linked with a shock swoop for Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Atletico director Mateu Alemany was in London last week, where he is understood to have met with Arsenal counterparts – and made clear his side would seek a fee of 150m euros (£128m). Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign Alvarez this month but his steadfast desire to join Barcelona has seen Arsenal’s pursuit halted. However, it is understood discussions between Atletico and Arsenal over a club-to-club agreement for Alvarez have been positive. Indeed, in the event of Alvarez giving Arsenal the green light to proceed with his signing in the coming days, a deal should move quickly.
Despite the positive club-to-club talks, personal hurdles remain. Sources indicate that the player’s preference remains Barcelona, who are understood to be his dream club, and the prospect of returning to England holding little appeal. The striker left Manchester City in 2024 and does not want to go back to the Premier League, despite Arsenal’s interest. Alvarez was recently seen posing for photos in Atletico’s new kit ahead of the season, but was, as expected, omitted from Diego Simeone’s squad for their LaLiga opener at home to newly-promoted Malaga on Wednesday night.
Diego Simeone Addresses Squad Selection and Transfer Speculation
Atletico manager Diego Simeone had confirmed ahead of the game that the 26-year-old would not feature as he builds up his fitness in the aftermath of an extended break that followed Argentina’s run. Alvarez was omitted from Atletico’s opening game of the new LaLiga season – which the club won 2-0 – and Mundo Deportivo report that the door is open to an exit. Simeone is reportedly open to a deal involving Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, with a swap arrangement having reportedly been discussed in recent weeks, and Atletico have also been linked with interest in Chelsea outcast Nicolas Jackson.
Alvarez has not kept quiet about his desire to leave, telling reporters during the World Cup that a transfer would be in the best interests of him and the club. Atletico, though, stood firm, and as recently as this week, through manager Diego Simeone, insisted that Alvarez was not for sale.
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