Julián Álvarez is not going to back down. Neither, to be fair, is Atlético de Madrid. The situation is a stalemate as the FIFA World Cup rolls along and Barcelona still are making him their top target.
Álvarez made his feelings known while he plays with Argentina during the World Cup, meaning it could no longer be dismissed as just rumor. And according to a new report, Atlético reacted first with outrage and then with a conciliatory tone to try to convince the striker not to leave.
Atlético do not
want to let him go to a league rival, and there are other suitors. But despite interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, he has reportedly held firm that he wants to go to Camp Nou. Atlético are keen on keeping him as he’s been a key player for their recent long runs in the UEFA Champions League. Next year, the final is at the Metropolitano, and it would be amazing from Atléti’s perspective if they were able to reach it. But without Álvarez, such a feat would be much harder.
For now Atlético has shown an unwillingness to negotiate. They ultimately can turn down all offers and point to his absurdly high release clause. Yet, the Argentine has a few cards left to play. For one, he has not said Barcelona’s name publicly. That could cause yet another stir in world football. And his last option, which reports say he is hesitant to take but is being considered in his camp, is to rebel and not report to training.
Barcelona have a history of transfer targets refusing to turn up for training for their current clubs. Such a tactic is sure to drive the current club crazy, especially Atlético, who have tried to flex their muscle as Spain’s third-most powerful club in recent negotiations. Rumors say that the Álvarez camp feel as though Atléti are not listening to him, treating him more like an inexperienced rookie who doesn’t know better than a world class star who has made his mind up.
