The dispute over Julian Alvarez’s future has intensified, with Atletico de Madrid continuing to reject the possibility of the Argentina striker joining Barcelona, while the player remains focused on moving to the Catalan club.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the situation has become increasingly difficult for Atletico after a hostile reception for Alvarez at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday. Most of the home supporters jeered the 26-year-old before, during and after the match.
Alvarez then walked alone towards the dressing-room tunnel on the club’s recommendation, a scene that further highlighted the tension between the player and the Madrid side.
Atletico remain opposed to Alvarez moving to Barcelona and will currently only consider allowing him to leave for Arsenal. The striker, known as “The Spider”, is interested solely in a switch to Barca.
The club’s position has been reinforced by president Enrique Cerezo, chief executive Miguel Angel Gil and manager Diego Pablo Simeone, who have all established the boundaries Atletico are not prepared to cross. Alvarez, however, continues to make clear that his preferred destination is Barcelona.
He offered another indication of that desire on Tuesday through his activity on TikTok. Two days earlier, a user had posted a video showing the Argentina international wearing a Barcelona shirt and performing his trademark Spider-Man-inspired celebration.
Alvarez subsequently liked the post, a small but significant gesture that was interpreted as a public signal of his intentions during an increasingly sensitive situation.
The episode comes after the player became unhappy with Atletico, having concluded that the club did not honour an undertaking made in February. At that time, Alvarez was told he would be allowed to leave at the end of the season for the destination of his choice, provided the interested club submitted an offer that reflected his value.
Atletico are now attempting to direct him towards Arsenal, the only club for which they are currently willing to open negotiations. Their refusal to facilitate a move to Barcelona has left the two sides at an impasse.
The Madrid club also face the risk of suffering financially and competitively if the situation remains unresolved. If Alvarez does not leave before the transfer window closes, Atletico could lose the chance to receive a substantial fee for him. They could also be left with a player who is lacking motivation and fails to produce the level of performance expected by the team.
Barcelona are monitoring the dispute and remain committed to exhausting every possible option to sign Alvarez. Manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco regard him as their preferred target, with the forward seen as the final addition to a squad strengthened and assembled to compete for every major honour.
The Catalan club understand the steps Alvarez is taking in pursuit of a move to Barcelona and are prepared to wait until the end of the window. That approach carries its own risk: Barca may be left without another centre-forward in the number nine position if the deal for Alvarez cannot be completed.
