Atletico defender Pubill insists club are 'lucky' to keep Alvarez after Arsenal pursuit

Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill has spoken out in support of Julian Alvarez, describing the club as ‘lucky’ to have kept the Argentine forward after a chaotic summer in which both Arsenal and Barcelona pushed to sign him.

Alvarez made his desire to leave the Wanda Metropolitano abundantly clear during the transfer window, with his preferred destination reported to be Barcelona — a move Atletico refused to sanction despite alleged discussions between the two clubs. Arsenal also maintained a sustained interest in the 26-year-old, particularly after losing Gabriel Martinelli to Al Hilal and seeing Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard also depart.

“We experienced it inside the dressing room in the same way as people did from the outside,” Pubill said. “Julian is a spectacular player, extremely good, and luckily we have him here. We’re all going to enjoy having him. We will help him. Hopefully he gives us his maximum because he’s a top player.”

The saga drew sharp words from Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who accused Atletico of acting in bad faith. “We were getting information that they were putting Alvarez up for sale, but in the end they took off the mask and said they were selling to anyone but Barca,” Laporta stated. “We were always transparent. We talked to Gil Marin, we presented an offer. I don’t understand what that disproportionate reaction came to next.”

Alvarez has made three La Liga appearances since the window shut but is yet to start a league game for Diego Simeone’s side. A brief spell on the sidelines with muscular issues delayed his reintegration further, though he returned from the bench to play 28 minutes in Atletico’s 2-1 derby victory over Real Madrid.

Whether Arsenal revisit their interest when the January window opens remains unclear, as does Atletico’s willingness to sell mid-season after going to considerable lengths to hold onto their record signing.