The transfer window has closed and Julian Alvarez will remain at Atletico Madrid despite his deep desire to sign for FC Barcelona.
The Blaugrana pushed hard to sign him, but encountered a firm refusal from the Colchoneros, who never showed any willingness to negotiate his sale with the La Liga champions.
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Arsenal attempted to convince Alvarez to join them, but the striker shut down the possibility and continued to favour Barcelona, meaning he ultimately remained at Atleti.
Barcelona to go “all out”
With the transfer window now closed, the saga is entering a new phase. That is where SPORT journalist David Bernabeu believes the situation could become particularly interesting.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session on SPORT TV, the journalist suggested that Barcelona’s pursuit has taken on a significance beyond a normal transfer negotiation.
Barcelona not giving up on Alvarez. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
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“Barcelona will go all out for Julián in the winter. It’s now personal,” he firmly said.
Bernabeu explained that the feeling goes beyond Atletico Madrid’s uncompromising stance throughout the summer, but it also relates to Alvarez himself and the effort he made to try to join Barcelona.
“It’s not just about how Barcelona feels Atlético have handled things, but also about the player himself, who gave everything to try to get to Barcelona,” Bernabeu noted.
A summer that changed everything
The tension began to build after Alvarez expressed his desire to leave Atletico Madrid during the World Cup.
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The Rojiblancos subsequently closed ranks around the striker, with CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin particularly emphatic in ruling out a transfer to Barcelona. He went as far as stating that Alvarez would not be sold to the Catalan club under any circumstances.
New attempt incoming in January. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Barcelona, meanwhile, spoke about their interest publicly, with Joan Laporta insisting that their offer remained on the table if Atleti were prepared to negotiate.
In the end, Atletico succeeded in keeping the 26-year-old striker, while Barcelona turned to Gabriel Jesus to strengthen their attack after failing to secure the Argentine.
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The episode has nevertheless left its mark. Alvarez’s relationship with sections of the Atletico Madrid fans has deteriorated, with the striker already being subjected to whistles and jeers during his appearances for the club.
His future at the Metropolitano could therefore depend heavily on how the situation develops over the coming months.
The summer window may be closed, but the Julian Alvarez saga is clearly far from over.
