Julian Alvarez has rejected a return to Manchester City, with the Atletico Madrid striker once again insisting he does not want to come back to the Premier League. The Argentina international is locked in a tense stand-off with Atletico in what has become the biggest transfer saga of the summer.
Arsenal target but Barcelona dream remains
Alvarez is Arsenal's number one target and is regarded as a dream signing in north London, but the striker is desperate to join Barcelona, who failed with a €100million (£86m) offer earlier this summer. Atletico are refusing to do business with the Catalan giants, however, insisting once again this week there is a 'zero per cent chance' of him being sold to their La Liga rivals.
Amid the impasse, Marca reported on Friday that City are interested in re-signing the striker they sold to Atletico two summers ago for £82million. But Cadena SER report the 26-year-old has 'categorically rejected' a return to the Etihad Stadium, having already turned down Arsenal on 'numerous occasions'.
City's interest rebuffed
City reached out to Atletico to express interest, but before they were even able to present an offer, the Premier League side were told by Alvarez he does not wish to come back to Manchester. Alvarez's position throughout the summer has been that he does not want to return to England.
While reports in Spain this week have suggested he has been made increasingly aware that Arsenal is his only option if he is to leave Atletico, the report states he remains determined to stay in Spain. Alvarez's reluctance to return to England is said to have little to do with football. The Argentine is thought to be aware of certain visa regulations that would create difficulty for his family visiting him in the UK. He faces no such issues in Spain.
Barcelona statement and Atletico's response
In a statement this week, Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed they remain interested in signing Alvarez, with it 'common knowledge' he wants to join them. Those comments produced another fierce response from Atletico.
'There is a zero per cent chance of selling him to Barca. This situation isn't about money; it's about dignity,' the club said. 'A campaign full of lies and half-truths have been created. The only ones paying the price for all this are Atletico.'
Alvarez joined City from River Plate for a modest £14million in January 2022, helping Pep Guardiola's side win the Treble in his second season in Manchester. He scored 36 times in 103 appearances for the club.
