Atletico Madrid kicked off their 2026-27 LaLiga campaign with a 2-0 victory over Malaga at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on August 19, but the real story unfolded off the pitch. Julian Alvarez, the Argentine forward who has publicly expressed his desire to move to Barcelona, was not included in the squad and faced hostile chants from a section of the home crowd.
When asked about the insults in the post-match press conference, coach Diego Simeone offered a cryptic response: ''Muy respetuoso con nuestra gente'' (''Very respectful with our fans''), before turning away to field the next question. His refusal to defend Alvarez hinted at deep internal tension.
A Transfer Saga That Won't End
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Atletico has now agreed to listen to offers for Alvarez, but only from Arsenal. The Premier League club has submitted a concrete bid, yet Alvarez rejected it outright. The 25-year-old has no interest in returning to England and remains adamant about joining Barcelona.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed the club has made a formal offer. Real Madrid also attempted to sign the striker with a 150 million euro proposal, but Atletico's CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin dismissed both offers, stating, ''We wouldn't accept even 200 million euros''.
Simeone's Uncertain Stance
When asked if Alvarez would feature in the upcoming home match against Villarreal on Sunday, Simeone replied, ''I don't know'', before abruptly ending the press conference. Reports from ESPN suggest that Simeone and Alvarez held a private meeting days earlier, where the coach guaranteed the player would be treated as a central figure as long as he remains at the club, but also made clear that transfer decisions lie with the board.
The Arsenal Connection and Gyokeres
Arsenal's interest serves a dual purpose for Atletico: it could offload Alvarez and pave the way for Viktor Gyokeres, a striker who has been offered to several clubs, including Barcelona. Simeone would reportedly welcome Gyokeres as a replacement. However, this plan only works if Alvarez agrees to the move—something he has so far refused.
Barcelona, meanwhile, treats Alvarez as a top priority for their attack. The Catalan club is evaluating two scenarios: closing the deal before the current transfer window ends, or waiting until the next one if negotiations stall. That flexibility gives Barcelona leverage without rushing into a compromise.
The European transfer window closes on September 1, and Atletico needs time to secure a replacement. Spanish media describe the relationship between the player and the club as ''unsustainable'', with Alvarez feeling his wishes are being ignored in favor of a deal he does not want.
A Viral Photo Adds Fuel
In the midst of this turmoil, Atletico's official team photo for the 2026-27 season went viral—Alvarez appears with a serious, somber expression, sparking memes comparing him to a prisoner. The striker, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024, is under contract until 2030 with a release clause of 490 million euros.
The LaLiga opener ended with three points for Atletico, but the future of their biggest star remains clouded. Fans are divided: some support Alvarez, others resent his desire to leave. As the clock ticks toward September 1, the drama shows no sign of cooling down.