Atletico Madrid Reject Barcelona's Pursuit of Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid have slammed the door on Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez and done it in public, insisting there will be “zero consideration” of selling the striker to the Catalan club.

The 26-year-old wants Barcelona. Barcelona have made it clear they want him. But Atletico’s hierarchy, backed by majority shareholder Apollo, have now just as clearly said: not to them.

Alvarez missed training on Wednesday and Thursday, but only because of illness after a bad night’s sleep on Tuesday, not because of any transfer manoeuvring. Even so, the noise around his future has exploded.

On Thursday, Atletico released a sharply worded statement.

“Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner,” the club said.

“We fully stand behind the club's previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be any negotiation and there is zero consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona.

“Atletico de Madrid trust that our player will understand the decision and will remain focused on helping the club achieve its goals, just as he has done during the two seasons he has been defending our colours.”

That stance follows on-the-record comments given to Marca in which the club’s anger at Barcelona was laid bare.

“The player is being portrayed as the victim, but we are the only victims in this case,” Atletico said. “[Barcelona] have harmed us both financially and socially. There is a zero-per-cent chance of selling him to Barcelona – it's not about money, it's about dignity.”

The message could hardly be clearer: Barcelona is off the table.

Fans turn, pressure rises

Inside the stadium, the mood has changed. Alvarez’s open desire to leave has gone down badly with supporters and the backlash has already started.

After the 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday, Atletico fans booed him off the pitch. For a player who has led their line for two seasons, it was a brutal soundtrack to a complicated week.

Atletico specialist Ruben Uria describes the situation as “extremely tense” and believes the club’s statement is as much aimed at their own dressing room as it is at Barcelona.

“My interpretation of the statement is that Atletico is making it public that it will not negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances, and that this is not only the CEO's position, but also that of the club and, above all, its majority shareholder, Apollo, one of the largest private equity funds in the world,” Uria said.

“Absolute support. It's a clear message for Julian: ‘Either you go to London, or you stay. We will never negotiate with Barcelona.’ It's very clear, Julian decides. London or staying in Madrid.”

So the picture narrows. Barcelona is blocked. Real Madrid would be blocked even if they entered the race. That leaves England.

Arsenal watch, but stay cool

Arsenal are the obvious Premier League option in this story, and Alvarez is understood to be weighing up whether a move to north London would suit him after the hostility he now faces in Madrid.

Yet from Arsenal’s side, the stance remains cautious. The club still consider a deal for Alvarez “very unlikely” before the deadline and will only move if they receive strong encouragement from the player and a clear signal that Atletico are ready to talk.

There is, however, a long-standing line of communication. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin have been in dialogue all summer, a relationship built during their time working together at Atletico and maintained ever since.

For now, that relationship keeps the door slightly ajar. It does not fling it open.

Atletico, aware that the saga could yet twist again, have already begun contingency planning. They are exploring options for a new striker and, intriguingly, one of the names on their list is Arsenal’s own Viktor Gyokeres. The Spanish club want to understand how open Arsenal might be to selling the Sweden international.

They also looked at Nicolas Jackson, but he is on his way to Aston Villa.

Inside the club, there is a clear desire to avoid a deadline-day circus. The next 24 to 48 hours are seen as crucial in determining Alvarez’s intentions: stay and try to repair his bond with the fans, or push hard for an exit.

A London detour on the road to Barcelona?

South American football expert Tim Vickery believes the decision now rests squarely with Atletico and the limited market they have left themselves.

“It is up to Atletico. They have two options: do they want to keep a player who doesn't want to be there? Or do they want to cash in?” he said on Sky Sports News.

“Clearly, they wouldn't sell to Barcelona and wouldn't sell to Real Madrid if they were interested. That does not leave them with many options; who else could afford him?

“The other options are in the Premier League. I'm not sure he was wildly happy during his time in England. He has got himself in a place where there are not many options.”

That’s where Arsenal enter the frame as a compelling, if complex, solution.

“Arsenal would give a fantastic narrative. Why not try to be part of the first Champions League at Arsenal?” Vickery added. “Why not be a part of that? And, depending on the terms of the contract, Arsenal could be a stepping stone to Barcelona. But it is up to Atletico.

“I am told that the fans would probably take him back if he has to go back to Atletico. He is a wonderful player, a striker with the soul of a midfielder.”

So the lines are drawn. Atletico say no to Barcelona. Arsenal wait. The fans have made their feelings known.

Now it’s on Alvarez to decide whether he can walk back into the Metropolitano and win them over again – or whether his future, and perhaps his path to Barcelona, runs through London first.