Atletico Madrid eye Zirkzee as £100m Alvarez standoff leaves futures unresolved

Atletico Madrid are tracking Joshua Zirkzee as a potential replacement for Julian Alvarez, whose future at the Spanish club remains unresolved after the Argentine skipped training this week in an attempt to force through a move.

Alvarez’s preferred destination is Barcelona, but Atletico CEO Gil Marin has made his position unambiguous. “I’ve been in the football world for more than 30 years. My word is one of the few things I have. As long as I am CEO, Julian Alvarez will not be transferred to FC Barcelona. That is absolutely certain,” he told Spanish media.

The only realistic exit route for Alvarez appears to be Arsenal, who retain an interest in the Argentine. However, a price tag reported to exceed £100m could prove a significant obstacle, and any deal would likely materialise only in the final days of the transfer window.

Should Alvarez leave, Atletico have identified Zirkzee as a candidate to fill the void. The 24-year-old Dutchman has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford after scoring just nine goals across two seasons since his £36.5m move from Bologna. United have since strengthened their attack with the additions of Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo, pushing Zirkzee further down the pecking order. Marcus Rashford’s return to the club following 18 months away has compounded his situation.

Juventus had been heavily linked with Zirkzee throughout the window, but Fiorentina are now reported to be leading the race for a potential loan deal. Atletico are keeping a close watch on how that situation develops.

Diego Simeone’s side would not be left short in attack even if Alvarez does depart. The Argentine coach can call upon Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth and former Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, giving him options to adapt should the window close without a resolution to the Alvarez saga.