Atletico Madrid's stance on Julian Alvarez remains firm

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has made clear that the club will not allow forward Julian Alvarez to leave during the current transfer window, despite interest from Barcelona. "The situation is very clear. The club has made a decision," Simeone said, echoing CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin's assertion that the club would not transfer the 26-year-old. Gil Marin told the club's in-house media: "We didn't accept the 100-million-euro offer, nor will we accept one for 150 million or 200 million."

The club's resolve has been tested by a series of offers. Real Madrid had a 150-million-euro bid rejected in June, and Barcelona's 100-million-euro approach was also turned down. According to multiple outlets, Atletico have also been clear they will not sell Alvarez to direct rivals, a matter of principle as well as money, with the club having filed a complaint to FIFA over Barcelona's alleged tapping up of the player.

Fan backlash and selection decisions

Alvarez's public comments while on World Cup duty, where he said he "believed a transfer is best for everyone," have fueled the tension. His desire to join Barcelona, reported as a five-year contract accepted in late May, has not been hidden. The situation has soured relations with fans, evident during Atletico's first league game against Villarreal, when he was heavily booed as his name was read out and whistled as he played. He came on in the 66th minute, substituted in a 2-2 draw, and was visibly distressed, with footage showing he was given a brutal reception. The club made the unusual decision to stop him from greeting the fans, according to Simeone, to avoid a very ugly scene, and he walked down the tunnel alone while his teammates applauded supporters.

The player's relationship with the club has deteriorated further after Gil Marin's comments that Alvarez wished he had not left his advisors, which agent Fernando Hidalgo ridiculed, "Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain himself, he would have to lie again." This follows Alvarez's departure this summer, after the World Cup, has been marked.

The fans' fury is not only about the desire to leave, but the way he went about it, as one report noted. The club has, however, insisted on his importance. Simeone called him "really important" and the team's best player, and he could be involved in their upcoming matches. He was left out of the La Liga opener against Malaga due to match fitness, after his post-World Cup break, but has been included in the squad for the Villarreal match, though he might start on the bench.

Persistent transfer speculation and clubs' interest

Despite the club's firm stance, the possibility of a move abroad is being discussed. Chelsea have reportedly taken a first step towards signing the player by contacting Atletico, as reported by the transfer journalist. Arsenal are reportedly prepared to "break the bank," with a €150m bid possible if the player signals a willingness to leave. The player, however, has been adamant about a Barcelona move, and is also considering the Premier League. Atletico's refusal to sell to direct rivals leaves the exit routes but the club has continued to reject approaches.

Between the two major targets, Barcelona they have allowed Robert Lewandowski to leave and sold Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain, but were blocked on Lautaro Martinez, as Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta ruled out his departure: "Lautaro is our captain, our history."

Alvarez, who joined Atletico for €95m in August, has scored 49 goals for the club, and has a long contract until 2030. The transfer window closes on September 1, but Simeone reiterated: "There's no uncertainty. Miguel Angel spoke clearly."