Updated: 3 Jul 2026 11:13 BST |
5 min read
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Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone expects Julian Alvarez’s future to be “resolved” this summer amid intense speculation linking the striker with a move to Barcelona.
Alvarez has developed a reputation as one of the best forwards in the world since joining Atletico from Manchester City in 2024, scoring 49 goals in 106 appearances for the La Liga side.
Such has been Alvarez’s form in front of goal that Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed on Wednesday that they have made an offer which remains on the table for the Argentina star.
However, Atletico remain adamant the 26-year-old is not for sale after rejecting a €150million (£130m) offer from city rivals Real Madrid in June.
When asked about the intense speculation surrounding his future following Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria at the World Cup on 22 June, Alvarez expressed his desire to leave Atletico.
While Alvarez stopped short of expressing his wish to join Barcelona, widespread reports claim Hansi Flick’s side are his preferred destination ahead of Premier League champions Arsenal.
In quotes carried by BBC Sport, he said: “I spoke with the people at [Atletico] I needed to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream. It’s not the time to talk about this, but I also can’t hide it. I try to be an honest person.”
Simeone reveals he has spoken to Alvarez at the World Cup
While there appears to be no immediate end to what has fast become the transfer saga of the summer, Atletico manager Simeone remains calm over the situation.
Hailing Alvarez as one of the top five players in the world, Simeone told ESPN via Diario AS: “His future is now the match with Argentina [and Cape Verde today]. You don’t have to think about the things that came out [in the media]. Surely things will be resolved as they have always been resolved in life.”
And after revealing he and Alvarez have caught up at the World Cup, Simeone added: “We were chatting a little, especially about how the ankle is and the importance for the team. It’s very good, it’s one hundred percent. Argentina will need it. [He is] the best player at Atletico since he arrived.
“The numbers speak for themselves. He has generated different player things within the team and we are very happy with his work. I can’t say anything else: he behaved well as a person, hopefully now in this stretch in the selection he can show what he has.”
Alvarez will be hoping to open up his World Cup goalscoring account when Argentina lock horns with tournament debutants Cape Verde in Miami today.
The defending champions topped Group J with a 100 per cent record thanks to six goals from Lionel Messi, while Cape Verde became the smallest nation to ever reach the World Cup knockouts by finishing second in Group H.
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