Atletico Madrid have made it crystal clear that they will not sit at the negotiating table with Barcelona over the future of forward Julian Alvarez, who is reportedly weighing a move to Arsenal. The Argentine striker missed training on Wednesday and Thursday after a rough night’s sleep left him feeling unwell, but the absence has nothing to do with his transfer status. At 26, Alvarez has expressed a desire to join Barcelona, a club that reiterated its interest on Wednesday during an interview with president Joan Laporta.
Despite that public declaration, Atletico’s hierarchy has taken a firm stance: any talks with Barca are off the table. Miguel Angel Gil, Atletico’s chief executive, told Spanish broadcaster Movistar on Thursday: "My personal wish is for Julian Alvarez to remain at Atleti. If he decides to leave, we will explore alternatives, but under no circumstances will we allow him to move to Barcelona." Gil added that Alvarez is currently dealing with health issues and that "people have tried to mislead and confuse him," describing the situation as "unethical" and stating unequivocally that the club will not negotiate with Barcelona. The club’s official statement earlier that day echoed the same sentiment, condemning Barcelona’s approach as lacking professionalism, ethics and respect.
Atletico affirmed that it remains open to normal market negotiations, but only if they are conducted in a manner that respects both clubs. The statement went on to say: "We stand behind our earlier position that FC Barcelona has failed to meet these standards, and therefore there will be no discussion about an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona." Spain’s leading sports daily Marca published on‑record quotes from Atletico officials, who felt they were being portrayed as the victims. They claimed Barcelona had caused both financial and reputational damage and insisted there was "zero percent" chance of selling Alvarez to the Catalan side – a decision driven by dignity rather than money. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was careful not to confirm any concrete interest in the former Manchester City forward when asked about the rumors.
He did, however, reassure his squad that any speculation would be dealt with directly: "If you have a question, knock on my door and I’ll tell you the truth. We could list every player we’ve been linked with in the last three months and still fill the whole building. The players know there is a lot of speculation, so I always explain the situation honestly – whether we’re recruiting someone or not, and what that means for the existing squad." From Arsenal’s perspective, nothing has fundamentally changed.
The club still views a deal for Alvarez as unlikely before the transfer deadline and believes it would require a strong push from the player himself before negotiations with Atletico could even begin. Sporting director Andrea Berta continues to maintain a dialogue with Atletico’s CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, a relationship that dates back to their shared time at the Spanish club. Atletico, meanwhile, are already planning for a possible departure. They have identified potential replacements, including Arsenal’s Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, and are assessing how receptive Arsenal might be to a sale.
Nicolas Jackson was also on their radar, but he has since committed to a move to 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 supporters and re‑establish his place in the team, or 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. Journalist and Atletico expert Rubén Uría described the atmosphere as "extremely tense".
Alvarez’s public wish to leave has already cost him popularity with the fans, who 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 public refusal to negotiate with Barcelona is backed by its majority shareholder, the private‑equity firm Apollo, sending a stark message: "Either you go to London, or you stay.
We will never negotiate with Barcelona." South American football analyst Tim Vickery, speaking on Sky Sports News, weighed in on the limited alternatives. He noted that Atletico could either keep a player who wants to leave or cash in, but selling to Barcelona or Real Madrid is off the table. "The Premier League is probably the only realistic market left," Vickery said, adding that Arsenal could offer an appealing storyline, especially if the club were to qualify for the Champions League.
He suggested that a move to Arsenal might serve as a stepping stone to a future transfer to Barcelona, depending on contract terms. Vickery also highlighted the emotional side of the situation, saying fans would likely welcome Alvarez back should he return to Atletico. He praised the striker’s versatility, describing him as a forward with the soul of a midfielder, and emphasized that while his time in England has been mixed, a fresh start at Arsenal could rejuvenate his career.
In summary, Atletico Madrid have drawn a hard line: no talks with Barcelona under any circumstances, and a clear ultimatum for Alvarez – stay in Madrid or head to London. Arsenal remain interested but cautious, and the coming days will determine whether the Argentine forward’s next chapter unfolds at the Emirates or back at Wanda Metropolitano.