Despite pushing to join FC Barcelona, Julian Alvarez is expected to remain at Atletico Madrid

The Argentine striker will likely stay with Atletico Madrid. (Image credits – CommonsWikipedia, License Details)

Julian Alvarez’s transfer saga has become one of the most intriguing stories in the transfer window this summer, but as per the recent reports, the Argentine forward is increasingly likely to remain at Atletico Madrid despite the player's interest in leaving the club and joining FC Barcelona.

Atletico's CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has revealed that Álvarez is part of the club's plans. The situation is still not settled yet, as Barcelona remains interested, and slowly Arsenal has started monitoring the situation as well.

Now, Arsenal have a firm interest in Alvarez and want to have him as the potential successor to Gabriel Jesus and lead the team from the front. As reported, the Gunners are ready to pay over £100 million for Alvarez.

Atletico will let the Argentine leave if an offer comes from teams that aren't playing in La Liga, as they do not want to sell him to their direct rivals.

However, the biggest problem in this deal would be Alvarez himself, as the 26-year-old has been reluctant to return to England again, as his dream is to join Barcelona.

This created an unusual situation, as Arsenal can negotiate with Atletico Madrid, while Alvarez himself won't sign the pre-contract agreement.

The 26-year-old had joined the club back in 2024 in a deal worth €75 million plus add-ons, raising the amount to around €90 million.

This whole fiasco is taking place because Alvarez had signed a six-year contract, which gives the club big leverage over the deal. The 26-year-old is a comprehensive part of Atletico Madrid, and that is exactly why Arsenal want to sign him.

Manager Diego Simeone also confirmed that Alvarez would be left out of the club's opening La Liga game as he's lacking match fitness.

The club supports the player and hopes to have him fully focused and available again. Gil Marín has made it clear that the club considers Álvarez important to its ambitions of competing at the highest level in Europe.

Arsenal, meanwhile, aren't even in the picture. A major offer from either of them will give us some work. The Gunners have the financial guns to lure from outside as well.

“Atletico, like all great clubs, is built with great players, and I’m clear that Julián is one, as well as being a great professional,” said Gil Marin.

“We must compete with our values, with people from within the club and with the best players from outside that we can bring in,” he added. (sic)

“That is precisely what they’re trying to do: divide us. It’s clear that we’re not as powerful as they are, but we have values. Atleticos won’t allow themselves to be contaminated. Atleti is strong when we’re all together,” he added. (sic)