Julian Alvarez’s move to Arsenal takes a big turn as new talks with Atletico Madrid begin
Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid all summer, even though coach Diego Simeone wants to keep the Argentine striker. Mundo Deportivo reported that Arsenal and Atletico reached an agreement for Alvarez, but the World Cup winner turned down the chance to move to London.
There are a few reasons why Alvarez said no to Arsenal. He really wants to join Barcelona, the La Liga champions, to win trophies. Plus, his family would have a hard time getting visas for the UK, something he struggled with while at Manchester City, according to AS Diario.
While Alvarez is eager to go to Barcelona, Atletico doesn’t want to sell him to a rival in La Liga. However, his wish to leave this summer—even though Arsenal isn’t his first choice—gives the London club some hope for a deal.
The 26-year-old likes what Arsenal is building and is open to moving there as a kind of backup plan to leave Madrid. AS says his relationship with Simeone is “strained” and he might accept a return to the Premier League because of his current difficulties.
Reports say Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have kept in close touch with Alvarez to try to make a deal happen. So, Arsenal is still working on it quietly, but Alvarez’s personal reasons make the move to London a bit tricky.
Because Arsenal really need a top striker, they may keep waiting for the right moment related to the Alvarez situation between Barcelona and Atletico. This is especially true as the striker is set to return to the team this weekend.
Atletico will play Villarreal in their second La Liga game, and Alvarez is expected to be back in the squad. How the fans react might help him decide if leaving—not just to Barcelona but anywhere—is the best choice.
On Friday, Atletico’s CEO Miguel Gil Marin said the club wants Alvarez to stay. He also told EFE, “We must understand that Julian hasn’t had the best advice in recent months regarding his career.”
Shortly after, Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hijalgo posted a mysterious message on Instagram: “Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain it, he’d have to lie again.”