Julian Alvarez and Diego Simeone share Atletico training ground as transfer speculation grows

Julian Alvarez trained alongside Diego Simeone’s Atletico de Madrid squad on Wednesday as reports continued to link the Argentina forward with a possible move to Barcelona. The session also marked the first meeting at training between Argentine forward Giuliano Simeone and his manager and father, Diego Simeone.

Alvarez has reportedly been pushing strongly for a transfer during the current summer window, with several media outlets claiming he wants to join Barcelona. Atletico de Madrid, however, remain determined to keep the player.

The details of Wednesday’s training session were reported by Mundo Deportivo, which described the atmosphere as completely normal despite the speculation surrounding Alvarez’s future.

“Everything was completely normal, with the Argentine forward like anyone else under the orders of Cholo, who did not hesitate to put him in the starting line-up when it came to tactical work, forming a partnership with Lemar,” the newspaper reported.

A conversation between Diego Simeone and Alvarez had also been expected. It remains unclear whether that discussion took place, but Mundo Deportivo said the forward left Atletico’s training ground at exactly 11:00 BST, the same time as the rest of his team-mates.

During the session, Alvarez took part in additional physical work on a neighbouring pitch alongside Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Thomas Lemar, Marcos Llorente, Baena, Pubill and Grimaldo. The group worked with fitness coach Luis Pinedo, while Diego Simeone passed by at one point to watch his players.

Alvarez appeared somewhat isolated during the 15-minute period in which the media were allowed to watch the training. He spoke only to Lemar, while Koke, Baena and Llorente exchanged jokes without appearing concerned by the cameras focused on their team-mate.

The tactical part of the session then began, with Alvarez included in the work and paired with Lemar. That decision underlined that, at least during training, the Argentina international continued to be treated as part of Simeone’s plans.

The session also brought together Diego Simeone and Giuliano Simeone on the Atletico training ground for the first time, according to the report. Giuliano, an Atletico forward, was present as the group worked under the manager’s instructions.

The uncertainty around Alvarez’s position has intensified after comments made during the World Cup, when he expressed a desire to leave Atletico in pursuit of his dream. Reports have since focused on Barcelona as a potential destination, although Atletico’s stance remains that they want to retain the forward.

For now, Alvarez remains involved in first-team training, while attention is likely to remain on any conversation with Diego Simeone and on whether Barcelona’s reported interest develops into a formal move.