Julian Alvarez misses Atletico Madrid training as transfer uncertainty continues

Julian Alvarez missed Atletico Madrid’s training session on Wednesday morning because of illness, with uncertainty continuing to surround the Argentina striker’s future at the club.

Spanish newspaper Sport reported that Alvarez did not take part in the session after suffering a health problem during the night. His absence comes as he is being linked with a move to Barcelona, although Atletico Madrid are understood to be unwilling to negotiate with the Catalan club.

The 27-year-old’s position at Atletico Madrid has become a major talking point during the current summer transfer window. Alvarez is reported to want a move to Barcelona and does not want to continue his contract with Atletico Madrid.

However, the club have rejected that request and have pointed to the player’s existing agreement, which runs until 2030.

The Athletic has reported that Atletico Madrid are prepared to consider offers of €150m for Alvarez. The club would be open to allowing him to leave for Arsenal if the Premier League club were to meet that valuation.

A source inside Atletico Madrid told The Athletic: “Real Madrid’s offer was not serious, and the club will not sell its player to its rivals Real Madrid or Barcelona.”

The source added: “Atletico Madrid would not mind approving his move to Arsenal, provided that an offer of €150m is made.”

The same report said Real Madrid had previously made an offer that Atletico Madrid did not consider serious. The Spanish club have therefore drawn a distinction between the possible destinations, refusing to sell Alvarez to either Real Madrid or Barcelona while remaining open to a deal with Arsenal at the right price.

Alvarez was used as a substitute in Atletico Madrid’s match against Villarreal on Sunday. He came on in the 66th minute, marking his first appearance from the bench since the beginning of the season.

His reduced involvement has added to the speculation around his future, although Atletico Madrid continue to hold the player to a contract that is due to run until 2030.

Alvarez also missed Atletico Madrid’s opening-round fixture, when they secured an important 2-0 victory against Malaga.

The latest absence from training was attributed to illness rather than a confirmed transfer development. Nevertheless, it comes at a time when the club’s stance over a potential sale is under close scrutiny, with Atletico Madrid reportedly setting a €150m threshold for any deal and refusing to enter talks with Barcelona or Real Madrid.