The Julian Alvarez transfer saga has taken another turn after Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone confirmed that the Argentine striker will miss the club’s LaLiga opener against Malaga. The 26-year-old striker has been a hot topic in transfer rumours recently, notably with Barcelona interested in signing him to Camp Nou.
Alvarez was signed to Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in 2024 for €75 million ($86.8 million), and has since proven to be a top asset. Alvarez has been said to be clear about his desire to leave Atletico, having informed the club about his wish to “fulfil his dream” by moving to a new club.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have only recently been confirmed by Spanish media as the top destination, and on Tuesday the club confirmed the return of a second C, but it was an elegant ceremony at their training base, exuding the sense of unfinished business, nostalgia and danger. The Portuguese coach, who was appointed by the club at the start of pre-season on July 10, inked a deal until the end of June 2029 at the boardroom of Ciudad Real Madrid, in the presence of the club’s president, Florentino Perez, and honorable president, Jose Martinez Pirri.
The silence was more of the statement for a club that was in use to blaze out the shows. Having failed to win a trophy over the past two seasons, Real are entering LaLiga as a side under increasing radar as the impatience of their supporters grows as the former untouchable Perez has been re-elected but is under increasing pressure. But Atletico have so far not been keen to budge easily.
Club CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has already ruled out paying even €200 million for the acquisition of Alvarez, making it clear that the club is keen to keep their forward.
