Julian Alvarez turns to Atletico leaders as Barcelona move reaches critical stage

Julian Alvarez has sought the help of Atletico de Madrid’s senior players in an attempt to resolve his situation at the club and keep alive his hopes of joining Barcelona this summer.

The Argentina forward contacted team captains Koke, Jan Oblak and Jose Maria Gimenez, asking them to help address his problem with Atletico and create the possibility of negotiations with Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.

However, Atletico head coach Diego Simeone told the players they could not influence the matter. He made it clear that the decision belonged solely to the club and that they were unable to assist Alvarez in his efforts to secure a move.

The development comes as the forward’s position appears increasingly uncertain, with only four days remaining before the transfer window closes. Alvarez did not train with his Atletico team-mates for a second successive day on Thursday at the club’s Cerro del Espino training ground in Majadahonda.

Atletico again stated that the Argentina international was absent because of “illness”. The club’s explanation came as speculation over his future continued to intensify and as Barcelona’s interest remained at the centre of the situation.

Atletico have already published a statement on their official website reaffirming that they will not negotiate with Barcelona over a transfer for Alvarez. That position leaves the forward facing a difficult route towards his reported ambition of wearing Barcelona’s colours.

Mundo Deportivo’s account of Alvarez’s latest attempt suggests he has now looked beyond the club’s formal hierarchy by approaching the dressing-room leaders. His appeal to Koke, Oblak and Gimenez was intended to help find a solution to the stand-off and persuade Atletico to consider discussions with Barcelona.

Simeone’s response, as reported, was definitive: the players could not change the club’s stance. The Atletico manager told them the matter was an issue for the institution rather than one that could be settled within the squad.

Alvarez’s continued absence from training has therefore added another layer to a transfer situation that is approaching its deadline. Atletico maintain that they will not negotiate with Barcelona, while the striker has taken a new step in an effort to make the proposed move possible.

With four days left in the window, the positions of the two clubs remain clear. Barcelona would need Atletico to agree to talks, but Atletico have publicly rejected that possibility. Alvarez’s approach to Koke, Oblak and Gimenez has not altered the club’s stance, after Simeone told the captains they could do nothing to influence the decision.

The situation now rests with Atletico, whose refusal to negotiate remains the principal obstacle to Alvarez’s hopes of joining Barcelona.