Olmo slams Atletico Madrid for blocking Alvarez's 'dream' move to Arsenal or Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo has hit out at Atletico Madrid for denying Julian Alvarez a move he described as the striker’s “dream”, after the Argentine remained at the Metropolitano despite serious interest from both Arsenal and Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

Mikel Arteta had personally approved a move for Alvarez to the Emirates Stadium, but only on the condition that the player himself was willing to make the switch. Barcelona, meanwhile, submitted multiple bids for the World Cup winner, all of which were rejected. Atletico eventually issued a public statement confirming Alvarez would not be leaving, effectively ending both pursuits.

Olmo, speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, made clear he had little sympathy for Atletico’s stance. “Julian is a great player, a great ‘9’, one of the best in the world without a doubt, but that’s football,” he said. “Understand it? I don’t. In the end, we all have our dreams. I think Julián was also clear about that.”

The Spanish playmaker added: “He fought for his dreams, but ultimately there are also other external situations that one can’t control. In that sense, that was one of them, it goes without saying. But life goes on. This doesn’t stop.”

With Alvarez unavailable, Barcelona pivoted to Gabriel Jesus, completing a move for the former Arsenal forward. Jesus, 29, took a significant pay cut to join the Catalan club and was candid about the circumstances of his arrival at his unveiling.

“It doesn’t annoy me [being Plan B to Alvarez],” Jesus said. “What annoys me is if people say I’m a bad guy, which has never happened in my life — or if I am not playing football, that bothers me. I have the chance to play for Barcelona, a chance I had 10 years ago and now life has offered me that opportunity again.”

Jesus also reflected on a difficult two-year spell at Arsenal hampered by a serious knee injury. “The last two years have been really complicated after the knee injury. I was out of the game for almost one year, but it’s in the past. I feel good physically now. I recovered well, returned to action for Arsenal and I am 100 per cent ready to play and give my all.”

Alvarez, meanwhile, remains at Atletico Madrid having joined the club from Manchester City last summer in a deal worth around £82 million.