Atletico Madrid would consider €150m offers for Julian Alvarez – except from Real Madrid or Barcelona

Atletico Madrid are prepared to consider any offer worth €150m for Julian Alvarez this summer, but will not sell the forward to domestic rivals Real Madrid or Barcelona, according to The Athletic.

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

The club would be willing to approve a move to Arsenal if the Premier League side were to meet the €150m asking price, the source added.

“Atletico Madrid would have no problem agreeing to his transfer to Arsenal, provided an offer of €150m is made,” the source said.

However, The Athletic reports that Arsenal are unlikely to commit such a substantial fee for Alvarez. The London club admire the Argentina international, but remain uncertain about whether he wants to move to England after contacting his representatives last week.

Alvarez came off the bench in Atletico’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday, entering the match in the 66th minute. It was his first appearance of the season.

He had missed Atletico’s opening fixture because uncertainty remained over his future at the club. Atletico began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Malaga, in a match in which Alvarez was absent.

The forward has been linked with a move to Barcelona during the current transfer window. It has also been reported that he does not want to continue his contract with Atletico.

Atletico’s board rejected that request, insisting that Alvarez remains under contract with the club until 2030.

The 150m euro figure would make any potential transfer a major financial commitment for Arsenal, although The Athletic says the English club’s interest is genuine. Its uncertainty is understood to concern the player’s willingness to relocate to England, rather than a lack of appreciation for his ability.

For now, Alvarez remains an Atletico player after returning to action against Villarreal. His introduction came during a match that ended level at 2-2 in the second round of La Liga, while the club’s position is that any departure must meet its financial conditions and cannot involve either of its principal domestic rivals.

Real Madrid’s reported proposal has already been dismissed by Atletico as not serious. Barcelona have also been mentioned as a possible destination, but Atletico have made clear that they will not negotiate his sale with either club.

Arsenal therefore remain the only club named as a possible acceptable destination in the report, although a move would depend on the club submitting an offer of €150m and Alvarez being willing to make the switch to England.