ONE TOUCH SUMMARY
- Julian Alvarez remains at Atletico Madrid after club rules out any Barcelona transfer, leaving Arsenal as his only potential exit.
- Atletico Madrid chief executive says Alvarez will never join Barcelona, citing health issues and external confusion affecting the striker’s decision.
- Arsenal, the Premier League champions, consider signing Alvarez very unlikely despite his interest in a move to England.
ONE TOUCH INSIGHT
Arsenal’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez is little more than a sideshow; Atletico Madrid have closed the door to Barcelona and show no inclination to sell to anyone else, while the striker’s current health makes a move improbable.
Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil told Movistar that his personal dream is for Alvarez to stay, adding that if the Argentine wishes to leave the club will look for an alternative but will never, ever, ever go to Barcelona. Alvarez missed training on Wednesday and Thursday after a poor night’s sleep, an issue the club insists is unrelated to his future. Arsenal themselves admit that signing the 26‑year‑old striker is very unlikely.
Unless Alvarez recovers quickly and Atletico revisits its stance, he will remain a Colchonero. Alvarez’s fitness for Atletico’s next LaLiga match will be the first real test of whether the transfer saga is truly over.
WHY IT MATTERS
The stalemate highlights growing power struggles between LaLiga clubs, as Atletico’s refusal to deal with Barcelona forces Alvarez into a limited market, potentially reshaping Arsenal’s attacking options and influencing future transfer negotiations across Europe.
Julian Alvarez
ST
Argentina
Strengths
- ✓Versatile forward capable of playing across the front line
- ✓High pressing intensity and work rate
- ✓Clinical finishing inside the box
- ⚠How will Alvarez’s current health and illness affect his performance and availability?
- ⚠Is his stated desire to leave Atletico genuine, or influenced by external confusion and pressure?
TACTICAL FIT
If Alvarez joins Arsenal, his versatility as a forward capable of pressing, linking play, and finishing inside the box would add depth to Mikel Arteta’s rotational system, offering a tactical alternative to Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
THE DEBATE
Should Arsenal pursue Alvarez now, or wait for a clearer signal from Atletico?
Transfer
Julian Alvarez transfer news: Atletico Madrid won't sell striker to Barcelona with Arsenal the only option
Julian Alvarez has two options: stay at Atletico Madrid or move to Arsenal; Atletico say they won't enter negotiations with Barcelona; Alvarez wanted a move to their LaLiga rivals but is now considering a switch to Arsenal; Premier League champions believe signing Alvarez is very unlikely
Thursday 27 August 2026 19:36, UK
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Explained: Alvarez 'saga' continues as Barca still keen - but can Arsenal benefit?
Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett gives an update on the Julian Alvarez transfer saga, and questions whether tensions between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could benefit Arsenal in their potential move for the Argentine striker.
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Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett gives an update on the Julian Alvarez transfer saga, and questions whether tensions between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid could benefit Arsenal in their potential move for the Argentine striker
Atletico Madrid say they will not enter into negotiations with Barcelona for striker Julian Alvarez, who is considering a move to Arsenal.
Alvarez did not train on Wednesday and Thursday because of illness after a poor night's sleep on Tuesday, not because of anything related to his future.
The 26-year-old wants to join Barca, who again went public with their desire to sign him on Wednesday in an interview with president Joan Laporta.
However, Atletico have now publicly said they won't engage with Barcelona over a transfer for Alvarez.
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Take a look at some of Julian Alvarez's best moments in LaLiga for Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil told Movistar on Thursday: "My personal dream is for Julian Alvarez to stay at Atleti.
"If he wants to leave the club, we will look for an alternative, but he will never, ever, ever go to Barcelona.
"Julian is in poor health. There are people who have taken it upon themselves to deceive and confuse him, and he is going through a difficult situation.
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