Barcelona keep faith in Julian Alvarez as Atletico de Madrid face decisive choice

Barcelona remain committed to signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico de Madrid, with the Argentina international still their leading target to strengthen the attack during the current transfer window.

The Catalan club are also considering alternative options in case the deal cannot be completed, but sporting director Deco and manager Hansi Flick continue to regard Alvarez as the priority. According to Spanish newspaper Sport, both Barcelona and the 26-year-old believe an agreement can still be reached this summer.

Alvarez is understood to be keen on leaving Atletico de Madrid and sees a move to Barcelona as his preferred destination. His desire to depart has already created a difficult situation for Atletico manager Diego Simeone.

The striker publicly expressed his wish to leave Atletico during the World Cup. After returning to the club’s training base last Wednesday, he is reported to have personally communicated the same position to Simeone.

Uncertainty over Alvarez’s future increased when he was left out of Atletico’s squad for their match against Olympique de Marseille, despite having returned to training alongside the club’s other international players.

Attention now turns to 19 August, when Atletico begin their league campaign against Malaga. The match is expected to provide an indication of whether Simeone is prepared to bring Alvarez back into the squad.

Atletico’s public position, however, has remained firm. The club’s message is clear: “Julian Alvarez is not for sale”.

That stance is being tested by the player’s determination to leave, placing Simeone in a situation similar to one Pep Guardiola faced with Alvarez two years ago.

In August 2024, Manchester City agreed to sell Alvarez to Atletico de Madrid for an initial fee of about 75m euros, with the figure potentially rising to 95m euros through incentives. The move followed the player’s request to leave in search of a bigger role and greater influence at a new club.

Guardiola responded directly to Alvarez’s position at the time. He said that a player who is unhappy or wants more playing time must look for a way out, while also acknowledging that managing the feelings of players who do not play regularly is one of the most demanding responsibilities for any manager.

Simeone now faces a broadly similar challenge. Based on the information currently available, the issue is not believed to be the number of minutes Alvarez is receiving. Instead, it centres on the player’s wish to begin a new chapter, with the opportunity to join Barcelona viewed as a potentially rare one.

The Atletico manager must therefore decide whether to respond as Guardiola did two years ago and allow a determined player to move on, or insist on keeping one of his key forwards despite Alvarez’s stated desire to leave.

For Atletico, the outcome could depend on whether the club’s firm public stance can withstand the striker’s determination and Barcelona’s continued pursuit. Their opening league squad against Malaga on 19 August may offer the first significant clue.