Alvarez booed at Madrid: Atlético sets €150M price for Arsenal, Barcelona blocked

Julián Álvarez had a difficult Sunday at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano: whistled from the bench on his 66th-minute entry, then at the final whistle of a 2-2 draw against Villarreal, the Argentine striker is now in open conflict with Atlético Madrid just days before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September.

The Argentine international is pushing to join FC Barcelona, but the Colchoneros’ board refuses to strengthen a direct Liga rival. The club’s position is unambiguous: for Barcelona, only payment of the €500 million release clause would allow a transfer—a sum far beyond the Catalan club’s reach.

The situation is radically different for Arsenal. According to a source close to Atlético’s management cited by The Athletic journalist Mario Cortegana, “the only conceivable scenario for Julián Álvarez’s departure this summer would be if Arsenal made an offer of 150 million euros”. A significantly more accessible price, which illustrates the Madrilenes’ desire to choose their striker’s destination as much as to profit from it.

But the former Manchester City goalscorer complicates the equation further: he does not wish to return to England and envisages only a future at Camp Nou. This disagreement between the player’s aspirations and the conditions set by his club risks prolonging the saga until the final hours of the transfer window.