Atletico Madrid have made it clear that they will not sit at the negotiating table with Barcelona over the future of striker Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal. The club’s stance has turned the transfer saga into a dramatic "London or Madrid" dilemma for the 26‑year‑old forward. Alvarez missed training on Wednesday and Thursday after a sleepless night left him feeling unwell, but the absence had nothing to do with his transfer situation.
The player’s health issues were purely personal and unrelated to any negotiations. Despite his desire to join Barcelona – a wish that was reiterated in a recent interview by club president Joan Laporta – Atletico have publicly ruled out any talks with the Catalan giants. The club’s chief executive, Miguel Angel Gil, told Spanish broadcaster Movistar on Thursday that his personal hope is for Alvarez to remain at Atletico. He added that if the striker insists on leaving, the club will explore other options, but a move to Barcelona is "absolutely out of the question." "Julian is not in the best condition right now," Gil said.
"There are people trying to mislead and confuse him, and we are dealing with a very difficult situation. We are outraged by the lack of ethics displayed by Barcelona and we will not negotiate with them under any circumstances." Gil’s remarks followed an official statement from Atletico earlier that day, which condemned Barcelona’s approach as unprofessional. The statement read: "Atletico Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when they are conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. We stand by our earlier position that FC Barcelona has failed to meet these standards, and therefore there will be no negotiations and no consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona." Spain’s leading sports daily Marca later published on‑record comments from the club, emphasizing that the narrative portraying Alvarez as a victim was misleading.
"We are the real victims here," the club said. "Barcelona has caused us financial and reputational damage. There is a zero‑percent chance of selling him to Barcelona – this is about dignity, not money." Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta declined to comment directly on any potential interest in the former Manchester City forward. When asked whether the speculation might be unsettling for his squad, Arteta replied: "If you have a question, come to my office and I’ll tell you the truth.
Players hear a lot of rumours – we could list every name we have been linked with in the last three months and fill an entire building. I prefer to be transparent with my players.
If we are planning to sign someone, I tell them. If we are signing a player in their position, I explain the plan, say we still believe in them, but competition will increase." From Arsenal’s perspective, nothing has fundamentally changed. The Gunners still consider an Alvarez signing unlikely before the transfer window closes, and they would need a clear signal from the player before initiating serious talks with Atletico. Sporting director Andrea Berta continues to maintain a dialogue with Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin – a relationship that dates back to their time together at the Spanish club and has persisted throughout the summer.
Meanwhile, Atletico are already preparing contingency plans. They have identified potential replacements, including Arsenal’s Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres, whom they are reportedly scouting to gauge Arsenal’s willingness to sell.
The Spanish side had also shown interest in Nicolas Jackson, but the forward is now set to join Aston Villa. The next 24 to 48 hours are crucial for determining Alvarez’s next move. He must decide whether to stay in Madrid, rebuild his standing with the fans and the club, or push for an exit.
Atletico do not want the situation to drag on until the final day of the window, fearing that prolonged uncertainty could destabilise the squad. Atletico analyst and journalist Rubén Uría described the atmosphere around Alvarez’s future as "extremely tense." The striker’s public wish to leave has made him unpopular with the home supporters, who even booed him off the pitch after a 2‑2 draw with Villarreal.
Uría believes Alvarez now faces two clear options: stay in Madrid or move to London. He explained that the club’s statement was not just the CEO’s view but reflects the position of the entire ownership, including major shareholder Apollo, a leading private‑equity fund. "Absolute support for the message: either you go to London, or you stay. We will never negotiate with Barcelona.
The choice is yours, Julian." South American football expert Tim Vickery, speaking on Sky Sports News, added his perspective: "Atletico have to decide whether to keep 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. Arsenal could provide a compelling story – a chance to play in the Champions League.
Depending on contract terms, Arsenal could even be a stepping stone to Barcelona later." Vickery also noted that the fans might welcome Alvarez back if he returns to Atletico, praising his blend of striker instincts with midfield creativity. He concluded that while the options are limited, a move to England, particularly Arsenal, could rejuvenate Alvarez’s career and satisfy his desire for a fresh challenge.
In summary, the transfer saga has turned into a binary choice for Julian Alvarez: remain in Madrid under a club that refuses to negotiate with Barcelona, or head to London where Arsenal could offer a new chapter. Atletico have drawn a firm line against Barcelona, and the coming days will reveal whether the striker will accept the club’s ultimatum or seek a new adventure in the Premier League.