Atletico Madrid won’t sell Alvarez – Simeone

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Atletico Madrid’s Argentine coach Diego Simeone attends a training session on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 4, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League league semifinal, second-leg football match against Arsenal. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

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Atletico Madrid will not allow forward Julian Alvarez to leave the club during the current transfer window despite interest from Barcelona, coach Diego Simeone said Saturday.

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Last month, Atletico filed a complaint to FIFA over Barcelona allegedly tapping up Alvarez.

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The Argentina international has also been linked with a possible move to Premier League champions Arsenal and was the subject of a rejected 150-million-euro ($173.4m) bid from Real Madrid in June.

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“I think the situation is very clear. The club has made a decision that (CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) has explained very well,” Simeone told reporters ahead of a pre-season friendly against Manchester City in Seoul.

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“From a sporting perspective, we’re very happy to have a footballer like Julian…

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“We will help him continue to grow, continue to improve and continue delivering the best — which has been a tremendous amount — that he has given us over the last two years.”

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Alvarez is due to rejoin the Atletico squad in two days’ time after taking a break following Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain.

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While on World Cup duty, the 26-year-old said he “believed a transfer is best for everyone”, but did not confirm his preferred destination.

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Alvarez has scored 49 goals for Atletico since signing from Manchester City two years ago.

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“We don’t want to transfer him. We didn’t accept the 100-million-euro offer, nor will we accept one for 150 million or 200 million,” Gil Marin told the club’s in-house media channel.

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“I have no doubt that Atletico is the right place for Julian and that Julian is the centre-forward for Atletico Madrid. We want to keep him.”

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When asked about how Alvarez might be received by Atletico fans following the transfer speculation, Simeone pointed to Antoine Griezmann.

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The Frenchman made a big-money move to Barcelona before returning to Atletico.

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He was initially met with some hostility, but won the supporters back over and departed last season a club legend.

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“We went through a period with Antoine in recent years where he had to leave, come back, and prove his quality and stature on the pitch,” said Simeone.

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“I see no other path than focusing on the sporting side of things, doing our part and helping him (Alvarez), just as we have done over the last few years.”

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Atletico get their La Liga campaign under way on August 19 with a home match against newly-promoted Malaga.

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The capital club finished fourth last season, 25 points adrift of champions Barcelona.

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AFP

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