Alvarez names Barcelona as only destination, leaving Arsenal with slim transfer hope

Julian Alvarez has declared his desire to leave Atletico Madrid and made clear that Barcelona is his only preferred destination, leaving Arsenal’s hopes of signing the Argentina striker hanging by a thread.

Speaking after Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup victory over Austria at the AT&T Stadium, Alvarez said: “This isn’t the time to talk about this, but I can’t hide either; I try to be an honest person. I spoke with the people at Atlético Madrid, and I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream.”

Arsenal had already made a direct approach for the 26-year-old this summer, with sources involved in talks held at the Torre Melina hotel in Barcelona in late May confirming the Gunners pushed hard to sign him. They were politely informed by the player’s camp that Alvarez is set on joining Barca and has no interest in returning to England, where he won two Premier League titles and multiple other trophies with Manchester City.

The transfer saga has already produced significant drama. Real Madrid had a £129 million bid rejected by Atletico, while Barcelona’s own proposal of £86.4 million was also rebuffed, prompting a series of pointed public statements from Atleti insisting they would not sell to a Spanish rival. Atletico hold Alvarez on a contract until 2030, giving them considerable leverage.

PSG are also monitoring the situation and would be prepared to make a major financial commitment, though a move to France is currently considered unlikely by those close to the player.

Alvarez’s relationship with Atletico manager Diego Simeone is reported to have deteriorated, and the striker is said to be frustrated by how the club handled his fitness during the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal. He rolled his ankle in the first leg and required an injection to play in the return fixture at the Emirates, and that injury subsequently ruled him out of Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria in Kansas City.

Arsenal’s only realistic path to signing Alvarez now would be if Barcelona fail to reach an agreement with Atletico and the situation becomes so unworkable that the player seeks an exit at any cost — a scenario that, for now, appears remote.