Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone anticipates that Julian Alvarez’s transfer situation will be “resolved” during the current summer window, fueling speculation surrounding a potential move to Barcelona. Alvarez has established himself as a prolific forward since joining Atletico from Manchester City in 2024, registering 49 goals in 106 appearances for the La Liga club.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently confirmed the club has submitted a formal offer for the Argentina international, which remains active. However, Atletico have so far resisted attempts to prise Alvarez away, reportedly rejecting a €150 million (£130m) bid from rivals Real Madrid in June.
Speaking after Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria on June 22nd, Alvarez indicated his desire to leave Atletico. While he did not explicitly state a preference for Barcelona, reports suggest Hansi Flick’s side are his favoured destination, ahead of interest from Premier League champions Arsenal. He stated to BBC Sport, “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, while acknowledging the ongoing speculation, appears composed about the situation. He lauded Alvarez as one of the top five players globally and stated via ESPN and 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.” Simeone also revealed he had spoken with Alvarez at the World Cup, focusing on the player’s fitness and importance to the Argentina squad. He described Alvarez as “the best player at Atletico since he arrived” and praised his contributions both on and off the pitch.
Alvarez is currently participating in the World Cup with Argentina, where they topped Group J with a perfect record. They are set to face Cape Verde in the knockout stages. A move for Alvarez would significantly bolster Barcelona’s attacking options, while his departure would leave a considerable void in the Atletico Madrid lineup.
