Alvarez jeered at Metropolitano amid summer transfer saga
Julian Alvarez was jeered by Atletico Madrid supporters at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday after being named a substitute in Atletico's second league match of the season, a 2-2 draw with Villarreal. The reaction added a public twist to a summer-long transfer dispute that remains unresolved with the 1 September deadline approaching.
The conflict centres on Alvarez's wish to join Barcelona and Atletico's refusal to sanction that move, a stand-off that has produced acrimony and public recrimination. BBC Sport has reported throughout the summer that Alvarez is viewed by Arsenal as their dream transfer target, but Arsenal largely kept their interest dormant while the player pursued a move to the Spotify Camp Nou. Atletico president Enrique Cerezo addressed the situation last week, saying: "I don't know if he will say sorry, but Julian is an excellent person and I am absolutely sure that he will win over the fans in two games. "I said he wouldn't be sold, he's our player and an important part of our team. We like that he's with us and think he will have a magnificent season."
Arsenal remain realistic about their chances of signing Alvarez before the transfer deadline and sources say the club want the player and are trying to secure him. Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta regard a move as a long shot largely because Alvarez has shown little indication he would accept Arsenal while still pursuing Barcelona. For much of the window Arsenal had accepted Barcelona as Alvarez's preferred destination and focused on other targets.
Alvarez's reluctance to move to London is tied to his stated desire to join Barcelona and practical concerns raised with him about visa regulations that could complicate family visits to the UK. Sources say there has been a slight softening of his stance in recent days, though not enough to excite those at Arsenal; if he were to change his mind in the final days of the window the Gunners say they are prepared to act quickly.
Atletico have publicly resisted Barcelona's pursuit, at times mocking the campaign on social media. The club posted: "Don't believe everything you see, especially if it's related to Barca," and added: "In recent months, we've been suffering a smear campaign against one of our players." For the Madrid side, the matter is closed and that stance has left Alvarez's ambition to move to Barcelona in serious jeopardy.
Negotiations have continued around a potential alternative route to Arsenal. Atleti director Mateu Alemany travelled to London last week and, according to reports, met Arsenal counterparts and made clear the club would seek a fee of 150m euros (£128m). Arsenal sources say the club can finance such a deal and would move quickly to finalise a transfer if Alvarez agreed to join.
Alvarez's recent career path and statistics are outlined in the ongoing coverage: he joined Atletico for £81m from Manchester City in August 2024 after just over two years at the Etihad following a £14.1 move from River Plate. At Manchester City he won six major trophies, including the Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 2023, and scored 36 goals in 106 appearances; at Atletico he has scored 49 goals in 107 appearances but has not yet won silverware. The player's agent Fernando Hidalgo has publicly expressed disdain at how Alvarez has been treated this summer, and Alvarez himself said: "A transfer is the best option." When Real Madrid released a statement on 9 June saying they had an offer of 150m euros (£128m) rejected by their neighbours, the Alvarez camp felt Atletico had reneged on an agreement to allow a sale for that amount.
Hansi Flick's side remain interested in Alvarez but, concerned Atletico's stance may not be mere posturing, have begun considering alternatives including Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres. With the transfer window closing on 1 September, Alvarez's decision will determine whether a move to Arsenal becomes possible; if he wants to leave Atletico, sources say the Premier League champions appear to be his only option.
