Revealed: What Diego Simeone told Julian Alvarez in showdown talks after Arsenal target reiterated his desire to leave Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez has spoken to Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone for the first time since declaring that he wants to leave the club in order to ‘fulfil my dream’.
The highly coveted Argentina forward, 26, is being tracked by several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Premier League champions Arsenal, LaLiga champions Barcelona and Real Madrid.
While representing Argentina at this summer’s World Cup, Alvarez publicly declared his desire to leave Atletico, saying: ‘I try to be an honest person. I spoke with the people at Atletico Madrid, and I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfill my dream.’
Although reports have suggested Barcelona are Alvarez’s preferred destination, Atletico have remained steadfast in their position that he is not for sale. Chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin said last month that the club would not entertain any offers for the striker, even in the region of £170m (€200 million).
Alvarez has a £428m (€500m) release clause and Atletico have already rejected a £129m (€150m) bid from Real Madrid.
The striker returned to pre-season training this week and, ahead of Wednesday’s session, reportedly spent around 10 minutes speaking with Simeone at Atletico’s Cerro del Espino training complex.
The striker returned to pre-season training this week after publicly declaring he would like to leave the club this summer in order to ‘fulfil my dream’
Alvarez reportedly spent around 10 minutes speaking with Simeone (above) at Atletico’s Cerro del Espino training complex, and reiterated his desire to leave during the conversation
According to reports, Alvarez, who is nicknamed La Arana, or ‘The Spider’, because of his Spider-Man celebration, reiterated his desire to leave during the conversation.
In response, Simeone is said to have restated the position he outlined publicly last week, namely that Atletico are planning for Alvarez to remain at the club.
‘The situation is very clear, the club made a decision that Miguel Angel explained very well,’ Simeone said. ‘We are very happy with Julian. From a sporting perspective, we will help him to continue growing, to continue improving, and to give us back what he has given us in these two years, which was a great deal.’
The former Manchester City player, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, joined Atletico in an £81.5m deal in 2024. He recorded 20 goals and nine assists in all competitions last season, while his 10 Champions League goals left him behind only Mbappe and Harry Kane in the scoring charts.
Back in April, Simeone said: ‘I am not in Julian Alvarez’s head. I suppose it is normal that an extraordinary player like Julian is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona. It’s normal because he’s very good.’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, has admitted there are ‘very few players’ in world football capable of immediately improving his starting XI, but insists the Gunners are still trying to make another marquee signing this summer.
Arsenal were heavily linked with Vinicius Jr before he signed a new contract with Real Madrid. They have, however, already secured the signing of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes for £75m.
The former Manchester City player, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, joined Atletico in an £81.5m deal in 2024
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, has insisted that the Gunners are still trying to make another marquee signing this summer
‘I think for the margins to improve, there are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring that to the club,’ Arteta said after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Como on Wednesday.
‘Every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth to the squad, we need to do that,’ he said. ‘We are actively trying to do so. The thing in the market is that it doesn’t just depend on you. We are very clear on that.’
With more than two weeks remaining in the transfer window, there is still plenty of time for the situation to develop, while Arsenal may also benefit from Atletico’s strained relationship with their LaLiga rivals.
One example came in June after Atletico rejected Real Madrid’s £129m offer for Alvarez.
Real released a statement saying: ‘Following the meeting of the board of directors held today, it has made an offer of 150 million euros to Club Atletico de Madrid for the federative rights of the player Julian Alvarez.
‘After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atletico de Madrid has expressed its gratitude for the proposal, made within the framework of the good relations between both clubs, and has rejected it, referring to the player’s release clause.’
Atletico quoted the statement on X alongside a series of laughing emojis.
In a follow-up post, they added: ‘You must have confused education with gratitude, but to leave no doubt: we don’t thank you for anything.
‘We neither study nor consider any offer for Julian. How could we not get along, when you make us laugh even more than Barcelona does.’
In a final swipe, Atletico posted: ‘P.S. Taking advantage of the good relationship with your new president, let’s see if you stop ‘stealing’ players from our Academy. Thanks a lot, @realmadrid!’