Julian Alvarez discusses Atletico Madrid future with Diego Simeone amid Barcelona interest

Julian Alvarez spoke to Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone about his future at the club before Wednesday’s training session, as the Argentina forward continues to push for a move to Barcelona.

The pair did not hold a private meeting after training. Instead, Alvarez used Simeone’s early arrival at the club’s training ground to explain his position before the session began.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Simeone and Alvarez arrived at the training complex early on Wednesday. The manager greeted players returning from holiday, including Alvarez, Alex Baena and Marcos Llorente, before speaking with the Argentina international.

Alvarez is understood to have reiterated his desire to leave Atletico Madrid and join Barcelona. Simeone, however, told the forward that he remains part of his plans for next season.

Sources close to Atletico Madrid described the conversation as friendly. Simeone is said to have stressed that the final decision over Alvarez’s future rests with the club’s leadership, while his own role is to support the player from a sporting perspective.

The forward’s representatives, Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Diaz, are currently in Madrid with their client as they attempt to resolve the situation. Atletico Madrid’s hierarchy remains opposed to Alvarez’s departure and is determined to keep him at the club for the forthcoming campaign.

Alvarez continues to favour a transfer to Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid want the Argentine striker to remain in their squad.

Simeone made his own position clear while Atletico Madrid were in Seoul, publicly backing the club’s stance over the player’s future.

He previously said: “The position is very clear, the club made a decision that Miguel Angel Gil Marin explained very well. We are very happy with Julian, and from a sporting point of view we will help him to continue developing and improving, and to give us again what he gave us over the past two years, which was a lot.”

Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 and is under contract until the summer of 2030.

He has made 66 appearances for Atletico Madrid, scoring 25 goals and providing eight assists.

Atletico Madrid finished fourth in La Liga last season with 69 points. They begin their league campaign this season at home to Malaga on Wednesday, 19 August.