Atletico Madrid have ruled out selling Julian Alvarez this summer, despite the striker being left out of their first La Liga game of the season amid interest from Barcelona and Arsenal.
The Argentine has been Barcelona's top transfer target all summer, with the player having repeatedly voiced his desire to move to the Camp Nou. Speaking during the World Cup, Alvarez said: "The best thing for everyone is a transfer. And I want to fulfil my dream."
Arsenal interest and Barcelona dream
Arsenal have long been interested in the former Manchester City forward, with Mikel Arteta reportedly driving the club's interest, but it is Barca where Alvarez wishes to go.
Atletico have other ideas, and have repeated privately and publicly ruled out a summer exit for the striker.
CEO and coach speak out
Miguel Angel Gil, the Atleti CEO, last month insisted that Alvarez will be staying put. Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday's visit of Malaga, coach Diego Simeone said: "If the club owner has spoken so categorically, then there’s nothing more to say."
"It’s like when you go to court, that’s it, there’s nothing more to it. We’re looking after both the person and the player, and we understand that he is not in the right condition to play in this match."
Alvarez left out of opener
Alvarez will be left out of the spotlight on Wednesday as Atletico's league season begins. Simeone explained: "We don’t believe Julian Alvarez is in the right condition to play or take part for tomorrow’s game."
"Hopefully, over these next four days, he’ll make further progress and we’ll be closer to where we want him to be."
