Diego Simeone acknowledges interest in star striker but insists club must do their best to keep him
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has admitted it’s “only logical” that top European clubs, including Arsenal and Barcelona, are pursuing Julian Alvarez, but he has vowed to make the Argentine feel “happy” at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Since arriving from Manchester City last summer in a deal worth up to £82 million, Alvarez has been a revelation for Atletico, netting 29 goals and providing five assists in his debut campaign.
His form has now put Europe’s elite on alert, with Arsenal reportedly leading the chase as Mikel Arteta seeks a versatile forward. Barcelona, meanwhile, view him as a potential heir to Robert Lewandowski.
When asked about the growing interest, Simeone told La Nacion: “How could the best clubs not want him? He’s 25, extraordinary, hungry, humble, a worker, a goalscorer, a proven winner. For Atletico fans, this interest should be a pride.
“But he’s ours, and we must take care of him. How? By winning. That’s how we keep him happy.”
Arsenal’s need for a clinical finisher is no secret, and club legend Thierry Henry has publicly endorsed Alvarez as an “ideal” fit for Arteta’s system. On the other hand, Barcelona’s financial constraints could complicate their pursuit unless they offload Lewandowski first.
Nevertheless, Atletico hold all the leverage. Alvarez’s contract runs until 2028, and CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has a reputation for driving hard bargains. Any sale would likely require a fee exceeding £100 million, a figure that may test Arsenal’s resolve despite their spending power.
