Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone confirmed on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, that the club will not allow forward Julian Alvarez to leave during the current transfer window despite interest from Barcelona. Last month, Atletico filed a complaint with FIFA accusing Barcelona of allegedly tapping up the 26-year-old Argentina international.

Alvarez has also been linked with Premier League champions Arsenal and was the subject of a rejected 150-million-euro ($173.4 million) bid from Real Madrid in June. While on World Cup duty, Alvarez stated he “believed a transfer is best for everyone” but did not specify a preferred destination.

Simeone told reporters before a preseason friendly against Manchester City in Seoul that the club's decision, explained well by CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, is to retain Alvarez for now.

Sources