Atlético Madrid have reiterated that Julián Álvarez is not for sale, despite renewed interest from Barcelona following the FIFA World Cup. Club president Enrique Cerezo insisted the Argentine forward remains part of Atlético’s long-term plans, even after the player publicly admitted his dream is to play for Barcelona.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed that the Catalan club submitted a bid worth around €100 million, but admitted Atlético rejected the offer as they have no replacement lined up for the striker. Laporta also warned that Barcelona’s proposal “will not remain on the table forever,” hinting the club could explore alternative targets if negotiations stall after the Club World Cup.
Álvarez, who joined Atlético Madrid from Manchester City last summer on a contract running until 2030, has enjoyed an outstanding debut season and has continued his impressive form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina. While Atlético remain determined to keep their star forward, reports suggest Barcelona will revisit talks once the tournament concludes.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continue to monitor the situation closely. Reports in England suggest Mikel Arteta remains a long-time admirer of Álvarez and could make a move if Barcelona fail to strike a deal or if the Argentine becomes open to a Premier League return. However, current indications remain that the player still prioritizes a move to Barcelona over any other destination.
