Julian Alvarez resumes Atletico de Madrid training as transfer decision looms

Julian Alvarez has returned to group training with Atletico de Madrid, leaving the Argentina forward ready to work with his team-mates just two days before the summer transfer window closes.

Alvarez had been absent from team sessions in recent days because of an illness. He missed two days of training before completing two individual workouts, but joined the rest of the squad on Sunday as Atletico attempt to restore their forward to full involvement while uncertainty remains over his future.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the 25-year-old took part in the collective session after initially working alone. He had not trained with his team-mates since Atletico’s match against Villarreal at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, during a difficult period before his return to normal activity.

Alvarez first resumed training on Friday, although he was limited to individual work. His return to the group represents an important step for Atletico, who do not want to lose more time in their efforts to bring one of their key players back into contention if he remains at the club when the transfer window closes.

Atletico sporting director Mateu Alemany had expressed the club’s hopes before Saturday’s meeting with Sevilla.

“We hope that he will join the group quickly and be available for the next league match,” he said.

Only two days remain before the transfer market shuts, meaning the club and the player’s supporters will have to wait to discover how the situation surrounding Alvarez is finally resolved. His return to training does not settle the transfer question, but it ensures he is once again working alongside the Atletico squad as the deadline approaches.

Alvarez was among the first players to arrive at Atletico Madrid’s training ground on Sunday. During the session, he received close attention from his fellow Argentines Cristian Romero and Juan Musso. Romero followed the forward closely throughout the workout, while Alvarez was also praised several times by the coaching staff during a practice match against players from the club’s academy.

The players who started against Sevilla did not take part in the main training session led by Diego Simeone after Atletico’s victory. Instead, they completed work in the gym, with Jose Maria Gimenez also taking part.

Norway forward Alexander Sørloth was absent from the session as he continues his recovery from the injury that has kept him out of Atletico’s opening matches.

Alvarez’s return gives Simeone an additional option in training, while Atletico continue to await clarity over whether the forward will remain with the club beyond the final days of the summer transfer window.