Atletico Madrid have made it crystal clear that they will not sit down with Barcelona to discuss a possible transfer for forward Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal. The Argentine striker missed training on Wednesday and Thursday after a restless night left him feeling unwell, but the club insists his absence had nothing to do with his future plans. The 26‑year‑old has publicly expressed a desire to join Barcelona, a club that reiterated its interest in an interview with president Joan Laporta on Wednesday. Despite Barcelona’s overtures, Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Angel Gil told Spanish broadcaster Movistar on Thursday that he personally hopes Alvarez remains at the club.
Gil added that if the player insists on leaving, Atletico will look for an alternative destination, but he categorically ruled out any negotiations with Barcelona, describing the idea as "never, ever, ever" possible. "Julian is not in the best of health right now," Gil said. "There are people trying to mislead and confuse him, and the situation is becoming very difficult. We are outraged by the lack of ethics displayed and we will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances.
The decision is final." The club’s statement earlier that day echoed the same sentiment, emphasizing that Atletico is open to standard market talks only when they are conducted professionally, ethically and with respect. It went on to say that Barcelona has failed to meet those standards, so there will be no discussion about an Alvarez move to the Catalan side. The statement added that the club feels victimised by Barcelona’s approach, noting that the issue is not about money but about dignity. Spain’s leading sports daily Marca had previously obtained on‑record comments from Atletico officials, who said the narrative portraying Alvarez as a victim was misleading.
They claimed that Barcelona’s actions have harmed Atletico both financially and socially, and that there is a "zero‑percent" chance of selling the striker to the Spanish giants. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta declined to comment directly on his club’s interest in the former Manchester City forward. When asked whether the speculation might be unsettling for his players, Arteta responded, "If you have a question, just knock on my door and I’ll tell you the truth. We could list every player we’ve been linked with over the past three months and fill an entire building.
The players know there’s a lot of speculation, so I’m always transparent about our plans. If we’re going to sign someone in a certain position, I explain it to the squad, saying, ‘These are the reasons, we still believe in you, but competition will increase.’" He stressed that clear communication is his preferred method. From Arsenal’s perspective, nothing has fundamentally changed. The Gunners still view signing Alvarez as unlikely before the transfer window closes, unless the striker himself pushes for a move and creates a compelling case for negotiations with Atletico.
Sporting director Andrea Berta continues to maintain dialogue with Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, a relationship that dates back to their time together at the Spanish club. Atletico, meanwhile, are already preparing contingency plans. They have identified potential replacements and are reportedly scouting Arsenal’s Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres as a possible target, gauging how receptive the London club would be to a sale. The Spanish side had also shown interest in Nicolas Jackson, but the winger is now set to join Aston Villa.
The next 24 to 48 hours are expected to be decisive for Alvarez’s future. He must decide whether to stay in Madrid, regain the trust of the fans, and fight for his place, 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 squad. Atletico analyst and journalist Rubén Uría described the situation as "extremely tense".
He noted that Alvarez’s public wish to leave has made him unpopular with the supporters, who even booed him after a 2‑2 draw with Villarreal. Uría believes the striker now faces two clear options: remain in Madrid or move to London. He explained that the club’s statement reflects not only the CEO’s stance but also the position of the majority shareholder, Apollo Global Management, which backs Atletico financially.
"The message is simple: either you go to London, or you stay. We will never negotiate with Barcelona," Uría said. South American football pundit Tim Vickery, speaking on Sky Sports News, weighed in on the options.
He suggested that Atletico must decide whether to keep a player who wants to leave or cash in on him. Vickery argued that a sale to Barcelona or Real Madrid is off the table, leaving Premier League clubs as the realistic alternatives. He speculated that Arsenal could offer an attractive narrative, especially if the striker joins a side that could soon be competing in the Champions League. Vickery added that Arsenal could serve as a stepping stone to Barcelona, depending on contract terms, and that Atletico fans might welcome Alvarez back if he returns.
In summary, Julian Alvarez finds himself at a crossroads. Atletico Madrid have drawn a firm line against Barcelona, while Arsenal remain interested but cautious. The striker’s health, the club’s ethical concerns, and the influence of powerful shareholders all play a part in shaping the final outcome.
Whether he ends up in London or stays in Madrid, the next couple of days will determine the direction of his career.