Simeone drops Alvarez for La Liga opener as Barcelona transfer saga drags on

Diego Simeone has confirmed Julian Alvarez will not feature in Atletico Madrid’s La Liga season opener against Malaga on Wednesday, with the 26-year-old’s future at the club remaining deeply uncertain amid persistent links to Barcelona.

The Argentine forward, who joined Atletico from Manchester City for €75 million in 2024, publicly acknowledged during the World Cup that he had held discussions with the club about a potential transfer, saying he wanted to “fulfil my dream” — a phrase widely interpreted as a reference to Barcelona. Arsenal have also been credited with interest as they look to reinforce their attack.

Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has taken a hard line, stating the club would reject offers even reaching €200 million for a player they consider central to their plans. Simeone backed that stance unequivocally in his pre-match press conference. “Miguel Angel is the club’s owner. Nothing is more definitive than the club’s owner, it’s crystal clear. It’s like when a judge hands down a ruling: ‘Dismissed,’” he told reporters.

Yet Simeone’s comments on Alvarez’s absence carried a diplomatic edge, framing it in sporting rather than disciplinary terms. “We don’t see him playing in this game. I hope that over the next four days, he’ll be closer to where we want him to be,” he said, leaving the door open for Alvarez to return for Sunday’s home fixture against Villarreal.

“He needs more practice. He’s the best player we have and we’re going to try to build a team around him, keeping his level in mind,” Simeone added — a notable show of faith in a player who has scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for the club.

The situation places Atletico in a delicate position as the season begins. Their public insistence that Alvarez is untouchable sits awkwardly alongside a player who has made his desire to leave plain, and with the transfer window still open, the saga shows little sign of resolution.