Atletico Madrid have made it crystal clear that they will not sit down with Barcelona to discuss the possible transfer of forward Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal. The Argentine striker missed training on Wednesday and Thursday after a sleepless night left him feeling unwell, but the club insists his absence had nothing to do with his future. Alvarez, 26, has openly expressed a desire to join Barcelona, a sentiment echoed by the Catalan side’s president Joan Laporta in a Wednesday interview where he reiterated the club’s interest.
Despite Barcelona’s public overtures, Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Angel Gil told Spain’s Movistar network on Thursday that his personal wish is for Alvarez to remain at the club. Gil said, "If the player wants to leave, we will explore alternatives, but we will never, ever negotiate with Barcelona." He added that Alvarez is currently dealing with health issues and that certain parties have tried to mislead and confuse him, creating a difficult situation for the player. Gil’s remarks were accompanied by a strong condemnation of Barcelona’s approach, describing it as unethical and stating that Atletico would not engage in any talks with the Catalans. Earlier that day, Atletico released an official statement criticizing Barcelona’s conduct, emphasizing that the club is open to "standard transfer market negotiations" only when they are conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner.
The statement reaffirmed the club’s stance that Barcelona had failed to meet those standards, leaving no room for discussion about an Alvarez move to the Spanish giants. The club’s position was echoed by Spain’s leading sports newspaper Marca, which published on‑record quotes from Atletico officials describing Barcelona as the real victim of the episode, accusing the Catalan side of causing both financial and reputational damage. According to the quote, there is "zero percent" chance of selling Alvarez to Barcelona – the decision is about dignity, not money. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was asked about his club’s interest in the former Manchester City forward, but he declined to comment directly.
When questioned about whether speculation surrounding the striker could be unsettling his own players, Arteta responded, "If you have a question, come to my office and I will tell you the truth. We keep our squad informed about any potential signings and the competition it may bring.
Transparency is how we manage expectations." He explained that he routinely informs his players about recruitment plans, emphasizing that any new signing would be presented as a way to strengthen the team, not to replace anyone. From Arsenal’s perspective, nothing has fundamentally changed. The Gunners still view an Alvarez acquisition as unlikely before the transfer window closes, unless the player himself pushes for a move and forces negotiations with Atletico.
There is ongoing dialogue between Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, a relationship that dates back to their time working together at Atletico. Both parties have been in contact throughout the summer, keeping the lines of communication open. Meanwhile, Atletico are already preparing contingency plans in case Alvarez departs. Reports suggest the club is scouting for a new striker, with Arsenal’s Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres reportedly on their radar.
Atletico appear curious to gauge Arsenal’s willingness to sell Gyokeres, should the English side be open to the idea. The Spanish club also showed interest in Nicolas Jackson, but the latter has now committed to Aston Villa.
The next 24 to 48 hours are deemed crucial for determining Alvarez’s next move. 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 do not want the saga to drag on until the final day of the window, as prolonged uncertainty 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 supporters, who even booed him after a 2‑2 draw with Villarreal. Uría believes the striker now faces a binary choice: either move to London or remain in Madrid.
He explained that the club’s public refusal to negotiate with Barcelona is backed not only by the CEO but also by the majority shareholder, the private‑equity fund Apollo, which supports the stance unequivocally. South American football expert Tim Vickery, speaking on Sky Sports News, offered his perspective on the options available to Atletico. He said, "The club can either keep a player who wants to leave or cash in.
They won’t sell to Barcelona or Real Madrid, so the realistic market is the Premier League. Arsenal could provide a compelling narrative, especially with the chance to play Champions League football.
For Alvarez, Arsenal might be a stepping‑stone to Barcelona, depending on contract terms." Vickery added that Atletico fans would likely welcome Alvarez back if he returns, praising his versatility: "He is a striker with the soul of a midfielder, a wonderful player." He also highlighted that the Premier League offers limited alternatives for a player of Alvarez’s profile, making Arsenal a logical destination if the London club decides to act. In summary, Atletico Madrid have drawn a firm line: no negotiations with Barcelona under any circumstances. The club’s leadership, backed by its major shareholders, has presented Alvarez with a clear ultimatum – stay in Madrid or move to London.
Arsenal remain interested but cautious, awaiting a decisive signal from the player. The next couple of days will determine whether the Argentine forward’s future lies in the Spanish capital or at the Emirates Stadium, with both clubs and fans watching closely.