Atletico Madrid have made it crystal clear that they will not sit at the negotiating table with Barcelona over the future of striker Julian Alvarez, who is reportedly weighing a move to Arsenal. The Argentine forward missed training on Wednesday and Thursday after a rough night’s sleep left him feeling unwell, but the club insists his absence has nothing to do with transfer speculation. Alvarez, 26, has openly expressed a desire to join Barcelona. The Catalan giants reiterated their interest on Wednesday during an interview with club president Joan Laporta, who said the team remains eager to sign the former Manchester City attacker.
However, Atletico’s top brass have now taken a firm public stance: any talks with Barcelona are off the table. In a candid interview with Movistar, Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil said, "My personal dream is for Julian Alvarez to stay at Atleti. If he decides to leave, we will look for an alternative, but he will never, ever, ever go to Barcelona." Gil added that Alvarez is currently dealing with health issues and that "some people have tried to mislead and confuse him," describing the situation as "outrageous" and "repulsive". He emphasized that the club’s decision not to negotiate with Barcelona is final.
The club’s official statement earlier in the day echoed Gil’s sentiment, condemning Barcelona’s approach as lacking professionalism, ethics, and respect. Atletico declared that it remains open to standard market negotiations only when they are conducted in a proper manner, and reaffirmed that there will be "zero consideration" of a transfer to Barcelona.
The statement went further, accusing the Catalans of causing both financial and reputational damage, and insisted that the only viable outcome is for Alvarez to either stay in Madrid or move elsewhere – but not to Barcelona. Spanish sports daily Marca had previously obtained on‑record comments from Atletico officials, who said the narrative portraying Alvarez as a victim is misleading. They claimed the club itself is the aggrieved party, stating, "There is a zero‑percent chance of selling him to Barcelona – it’s not about money, it’s about dignity." Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was asked about his side’s interest in the former City forward. While he declined to give a direct answer, he stressed transparency with his squad, saying, "If you have a question, knock on my door and I’ll tell you the truth.
We keep the players informed about our plans and the competition they may face." From Arsenal’s perspective, nothing has fundamentally changed. The Gunners still view a Alvarez signing as unlikely before the transfer window closes, unless the player himself pushes for a move and convinces Atletico to start talks. Sporting director Andrea Berta continues to maintain a dialogue with Atletico’s CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marin – a relationship that dates back to their time together at the Spanish club. Meanwhile, Atletico are already preparing contingency plans.
They have identified potential replacements, including Arsenal’s Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, and are gauging how receptive Arsenal would be to parting with him. Another target, Nicolas Jackson, has already opted for a move to Aston Villa, leaving Gyökeres as the most plausible candidate on Atletico’s radar. The next 24‑48 hours are expected to be decisive for Alvarez.
He must decide whether to stay at Atletico, regain the support of the fans, and re‑establish his place in the squad, or to push for an exit. Atletico does not want the saga to drag on until the final day of the window, fearing it could destabilise the dressing‑room. Atletico analyst and journalist Rubén Uría described the atmosphere surrounding Alvarez’s future as "extremely tense." After a 2‑2 draw with Villarreal, the striker was booed off the pitch by a disgruntled home crowd, reflecting the growing hostility he faces from supporters. Uría believes Alvarez now has two clear options: remain in Madrid or head to London, as the club has publicly ruled out any deal with Barcelona.
South American football pundit Tim Vickery, speaking on Sky Sports News, weighed in on the options for both player and club. He noted that Atletico must decide whether to retain a player who wants to leave or cash in on him.
Vickery added that Barcelona and Real Madrid are unlikely suitors, leaving the Premier League as the most realistic destination. He suggested Arsenal could offer a compelling story for Alvarez, especially if the club secures a Champions League spot, and hinted that a move to Arsenal could serve as a stepping stone to a future transfer to Barcelona.
Vickery also highlighted that Atletico’s majority shareholder, the private‑equity firm Apollo, backs the club’s firm stance against Barcelona, reinforcing the message that Alvarez must choose between London and staying in Madrid. The Argentine’s future now hinges on his personal ambition, the willingness of Arsenal to meet Atletico’s valuation, and the club’s desire to avoid a protracted standoff that could affect their season.
In summary, the situation remains fluid but highly charged. Atletico Madrid have drawn a line in the sand, refusing any negotiations with Barcelona and urging Alvarez to make a decisive choice. Arsenal remain interested but cautious, while the striker’s health, fan sentiment, and the looming transfer deadline add further pressure to an already volatile scenario.