Atletico Madrid president says Julian Alvarez is struggling but transfer issue is closed

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says Julian Alvarez is “suffering” after the recent uncertainty surrounding his future, but insists the forward’s situation has now been settled by the club.

Alvarez publicly asked to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window, but Atletico Madrid rejected the Catalan club’s offer and stood firm on retaining the Argentina international. The 27-year-old remains under contract with Atletico until 2030.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport shortly before Atletico’s Champions League meeting with Liverpool, Cerezo said: “I see Alvarez in good condition, but the truth is that he is suffering after what has happened recently, and that is worrying.”

He added: “I think his recovery is going well, and when the coach feels the time is right, he will return to playing. Julian’s case is closed.”

Alvarez has not started a match for Atletico Madrid since the beginning of the current season. He has made substitute appearances against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga but is still waiting to score his first goal of the campaign.

The forward joined Atletico after leaving Manchester City and has become the focus of significant speculation in recent months. Cerezo’s comments represent the clearest indication yet that the club does not intend to reopen discussions over his future.

Atletico begin Champions League campaign at Liverpool

Cerezo was speaking ahead of Atletico Madrid’s opening Champions League fixture of the new campaign, with Diego Simeone’s side travelling to face Liverpool at Anfield.

The Atletico president said the club had experienced every possible result on previous visits to Liverpool, but would arrive with the intention of claiming victory.

“We have played against them many times, and we have always had good feelings here. We have won, lost and drawn, but we always go in with the aim of winning, and I hope we can win to start the Champions League well,” he said.

Atletico have an added incentive in this season’s competition because the final will be staged at the Metropolitano, their home ground in Madrid.

Cerezo said the prospect of hosting the showpiece match had increased the club’s determination to go as far as possible.

“We are happy and proud that the final is being held at our stadium, and that forces us to try to win everything in order to reach that final,” he said.

The president also discussed Marcos Llorente, who has been one of Atletico’s standout players on previous visits to Anfield. Llorente has scored four goals at Liverpool’s stadium.

Asked whether the midfielder could produce another decisive performance, Cerezo replied: “I hope so. I see him in very good condition and he is going through a great period, so he could do it, why not?”

Cerezo also acknowledged the financial and sporting gap separating Real Madrid and Barcelona from the rest of Spanish football, although he said Atletico’s objective remained unchanged regardless of the opposition or venue.

“The gap with the big clubs is always there, but what we want is to win wherever we play,” he said.