Atletico Madrid have made it unmistakably clear that they will not sit at the negotiation table with Barcelona over the future of striker Julian Alvarez, who is currently weighing a potential move to Arsenal. The club’s stance was reiterated after Alvarez missed two training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, a situation attributed to a bout of illness following a restless night rather than any transfer‑related drama.
The 26‑year‑old Argentine forward has publicly expressed a desire to join Barcelona, a club that renewed its interest on Wednesday during an interview with president Joan Laporta. Despite Barca’s overtures, Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Angel Gil took to the Spanish broadcaster Movistar on Thursday to declare his personal wish for Alvarez to remain at the Colchoneros. Gil warned that if the player insists on leaving, the club will explore alternatives, but he added emphatically that a move to Barcelona is "never, ever, ever" on the table.
"Julian is currently unwell," Gil said. "There are individuals who have tried to mislead and confuse him, and he is enduring a difficult period. We are outraged by this lack of ethics and will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances." The executive’s comments followed an official club statement that condemned Barcelona’s conduct, emphasizing that Atletico is open only to "standard transfer‑market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner." The statement reaffirmed the club’s earlier position that Barcelona had failed to meet those standards, leaving no room for any discussion about an Alvarez sale to the Catalan giants.
Spain’s leading sports daily Marca had previously obtained on‑record remarks from Atletico officials, who described themselves as the true victims of Barcelona’s actions. They claimed the Catalans had caused both financial and reputational damage, and insisted there is a "zero‑percent" chance of the striker moving to Barcelona – a decision driven by dignity rather than money. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, when asked about his side’s interest in the former Manchester City forward, declined to give a direct answer.
However, he did address concerns that speculation might be unsettling his squad. Arteta said, "If you have a question, come to my office and I will tell you the truth. We are transparent with our players about any recruitment plans. If we sign someone in a particular position, I explain the reasons and reassure the existing players that competition will increase but we still believe in them." For Arsenal, the situation remains unchanged: signing Alvarez before the transfer deadline appears unlikely unless the player himself pushes for a move and convinces Atletico to start negotiations.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has been in ongoing talks with Atletico’s CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin throughout the summer, a relationship forged during their previous collaboration at the Spanish club. Atletico, meanwhile, are already preparing contingency plans.
They have identified potential replacements and are reportedly scouting Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres as a possible target, testing how willing the London club would be to part with the Swedish international. The Spanish side had also shown interest in Nicolas Jackson, but the forward is set to join Aston Villa. The next 24 to 48 hours are deemed crucial for determining Alvarez’s next steps. He must decide whether to stay in Madrid, fight for his place and win back the support of the fans, or to press for an exit.
Atletico does not want the saga to drag on until the final day of the window, fearing it could destabilise the squad. Journalist and Atletico expert Rubén Uría described the atmosphere surrounding the striker’s future as "extremely tense." Alvarez’s public wish to leave has already cost him the affection of the home crowd; he was booed off the pitch after a 2‑2 draw with Villarreal.
Uría believes the player now faces a binary choice: "London or Madrid." He explained that the club’s statement reflects the unified position of the CEO, the board and the majority shareholder, the private‑equity fund Apollo, which backs Atletico. "Absolute support for the message: either you go to London, or you stay. We will never negotiate with Barcelona.
The decision is yours, Julian." South American football analyst Tim Vickery, speaking on Sky Sports News, weighed in on the options. He noted that Atletico must decide whether to retain a player who wants to leave or cash in. "They won’t sell to Barcelona or Real Madrid, so the Premier League is the realistic market," Vickery said.
He added that Arsenal could offer an attractive narrative, especially if the club qualifies for the Champions League, and that a move to Arsenal might even serve as a stepping stone to a future transfer to Barcelona. Vickery also highlighted Alvarez’s popularity with the Atletico faithful, suggesting that if he returns, the fans would likely welcome him back.
"He is a wonderful player, a striker with the soul of a midfielder," Vickery concluded. In summary, Atletico Madrid have drawn a firm line: no talks with Barcelona, and a potential move to Arsenal hinges entirely on Alvarez’s own determination and the club’s willingness to negotiate.
The coming days will reveal whether the Argentine forward chooses to stay in Madrid, pursue a London adventure, or perhaps find another path altogether.